Lab Testing & Certificates of Analysis
Every batch tested. Every result published. No exceptions.
What We Test For
Every product undergoes testing across multiple categories to ensure safety, authenticity, and potency.
🔬 Identity Verification
Confirms the correct botanical species — proving our Ceylon cinnamon is Cinnamomum verum and our blue lotus is Nymphaea caerulea.
⚗️ Potency & Active Compounds
Measures concentration of key compounds. Cinnamon: cinnamaldehyde & coumarin. Blue lotus: aporphine & nuciferine.
🛡️ Heavy Metals
Screens for lead, arsenic, mercury, and cadmium to ensure levels are well below safety limits.
🦠 Microbial Safety
Tests for E. coli, Salmonella, total aerobic count, yeast, and mold.
🌿 Pesticide Residues
Screens for 200+ pesticide residues to confirm no detectable contamination.
💧 Moisture Content
Ensures moisture is below the threshold for microbial growth and degradation.
Ceylon Cinnamon
Cinnamomum verumOur Ceylon cinnamon is sourced directly from organic farms in Sri Lanka and tested for species authenticity, coumarin content, active compound potency, heavy metals, and microbial safety.
Key Test Results
| Test | Specification | Result | Status |
|---|
| Test | Requirement | Result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Species Identification | Cinnamomum verum | Confirmed — Cinnamomum verum | Pass |
| Coumarin Content | < 40 mg/kg | < 40 mg/kg | Pass |
| Cinnamaldehyde | ≥ 1.0% | Detected | Pass |
| Lead (Pb) | < 1.0 ppm | < 1.0 ppm | Pass |
| Arsenic (As) | < 1.0 ppm | < 1.0 ppm | Pass |
| Mercury (Hg) | < 0.1 ppm | < 0.1 ppm | Pass |
| Cadmium (Cd) | < 0.5 ppm | < 0.5 ppm | Pass |
| E. coli | Not detected | Not detected | Pass |
| Salmonella | Not detected / 25g | Not detected | Pass |
| Pesticide Residues | Not detected | Not detected | Pass |
| Moisture | < 12% | < 12% | Pass |
Blue Lotus
Nymphaea caeruleaOur blue lotus flowers are tested for species authenticity, alkaloid content (aporphine and nuciferine), heavy metals, microbial safety, and pesticide residues.
Key Test Results
| Test | Specification | Result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Species Identification | Nymphaea caerulea | Confirmed — Nymphaea caerulea | Pass |
| Aporphine Content | Detected | Detected | Pass |
| Nuciferine Content | Detected | Detected | Pass |
| Lead (Pb) | < 1.0 ppm | < 1.0 ppm | Pass |
| Arsenic (As) | < 1.0 ppm | < 1.0 ppm | Pass |
| Mercury (Hg) | < 0.1 ppm | < 0.1 ppm | Pass |
| Cadmium (Cd) | < 0.5 ppm | < 0.5 ppm | Pass |
| E. coli | Not detected | Not detected | Pass |
| Salmonella | Not detected / 25g | Not detected | Pass |
| Total Yeast & Mold | < 1,000 CFU/g | < 1,000 CFU/g | Pass |
| Pesticide Residues | Not detected | Not detected | Pass |
| Moisture | < 10% | < 10% | Pass |
Why We Publish Lab Results
Most supplement and spice companies don't show you lab results. Some don't even perform testing. Here's why we do both — and make them public.
Species Fraud Is Real
Cassia cinnamon is often sold as "Ceylon" because it's 5–10x cheaper. Our species ID testing proves every batch is genuine Cinnamomum verum.
Coumarin Safety
Cassia contains 60–300x more coumarin than Ceylon. If you use cinnamon daily, this matters for liver health. Our testing verifies safe levels.
Supply Chain Transparency
We source directly from farmers in Sri Lanka. Testing at multiple points ensures nothing is added, substituted, or contaminated.
How to Read a Certificate of Analysis
If you've never seen a COA before, here's what to look for:
| Section | What It Tells You | What to Look For |
|---|---|---|
| Product Name & Batch # | Identifies which specific product and batch was tested | Should match the batch info on your product packaging |
| Lab Identification | Who performed the testing | Should be a named third-party lab with ISO 17025 accreditation |
| Test / Specification / Result | What was tested, acceptable range, actual result | Result should fall within specification; "Pass" = met standard |
| Date & Signature | When testing was performed and who signed off | Should be recent and signed by a qualified analyst |
🚩 Red Flags on Other Companies' COAs
- No lab name — "tested and verified" without identifying who did the testing
- "In-house" testing only — the company tests its own products (conflict of interest)
- No batch/lot number — the COA may not apply to the product you received
- Very old dates — a COA from 2 years ago doesn't reflect current batches
- Missing heavy metals panel — the most important safety test, most commonly skipped
Frequently Asked Questions
We test for identity verification (correct species), potency (active compound concentration), heavy metals (lead, arsenic, mercury, cadmium), microbial contamination (E. coli, Salmonella, yeast, mold), pesticide residues (200+ compounds), and moisture content.
Independent, third-party laboratories with ISO 17025 accreditation. We never perform in-house testing — third-party verification eliminates any conflict of interest.
Every batch, before it's listed for sale. Agricultural products vary between harvests — batch-level testing ensures every product you receive meets our standards.
Yes — email info@ceylonspicegarden.com with your order number and product, and we'll send the specific COA for your batch.
Cassia cinnamon contains 1,200–6,500 mg/kg of coumarin; Ceylon contains only 2–40 mg/kg. At daily doses, high coumarin can stress the liver. Our testing verifies safe Ceylon-level coumarin content.
Aporphine and nuciferine are the two primary alkaloids in Nymphaea caerulea. Aporphine acts as a dopamine receptor agonist producing mild mood-enhancing effects. Nuciferine contributes calming, sedative-like qualities. Our testing confirms these compounds are present at expected concentrations.