| Documentation | |
| Batch identity and traceability | COA should match the product name, lot number, manufacturing date, and sample tested. | Lot and product identity stated; matches sample details. Complete | Lot stated; manufacturing date not shown. Request clarification | Lot and product identity stated; matches sample details. Complete |
| Laboratory and methods | Identify the testing laboratory, test date, methods, units, and accreditation scope where applicable. | Independent laboratory identified; ICP-MS and microbiology methods listed. Documented | Laboratory and methods listed; accreditation scope not attached. Verify scope | Laboratory, methods, and test dates listed. Documented |
| Heavy Metals | |
| Lead (Pb) | Example limit: ≤ 0.50 mg/kg (ppm). ICP-MS; confirm the buyer’s applicable limit. | 0.12 mg/kg Pass | 0.42 mg/kg Pass; close to example limit | 0.06 mg/kg Pass |
| Cadmium (Cd) | Example limit: ≤ 0.30 mg/kg (ppm). ICP-MS; confirm the buyer’s applicable limit. | 0.08 mg/kg Pass | 0.18 mg/kg Pass | 0.04 mg/kg Pass |
| Arsenic (As) | Example total arsenic limit: ≤ 1.00 mg/kg (ppm). Request inorganic arsenic speciation when required by the risk assessment or market. | Total As: 0.21 mg/kg Pass | Total As: 0.63 mg/kg Pass | Total As: 0.15 mg/kg Pass |
| Mercury (Hg) | Example limit: ≤ 0.10 mg/kg (ppm). ICP-MS; confirm the buyer’s applicable limit. | 0.01 mg/kg Pass | 0.03 mg/kg Pass | < 0.01 mg/kg Pass; below reporting limit |
| Microbiological Quality | |
| Total aerobic microbial count | Example specification: ≤ 10,000 CFU/g. Confirm limits for the intended product category and market. | 1,200 CFU/g Pass | 8,500 CFU/g Pass; near example limit | 600 CFU/g Pass |
| Yeast and mold | Example specification: ≤ 1,000 CFU/g. Confirm limits for the intended product category and market. | 120 CFU/g Pass | 780 CFU/g Pass | 90 CFU/g Pass |
| Escherichia coli | Example specification: Absent in 10 g. Check the method and tested sample size. | Absent in 10 g Pass | Absent in 10 g Pass | Absent in 10 g Pass |
| Salmonella | Example specification: Absent in 25 g. Check the method and tested sample size. | Absent in 25 g Pass | Absent in 25 g Pass | Absent in 25 g Pass |
| Pesticides | |
| Multi-residue screen | Request a suitable LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS panel, analyte list, method-specific LOQs, and assessment against applicable maximum residue limits (MRLs). | No reportable residues in the panel; analyte list and LOQs attached. Documented | No reportable residues in the panel; LOQs stated, but analyte list missing. Request full panel | No reportable residues in the panel; analyte list and LOQs attached. Documented |
| Adulterants and Identity | |
| Undeclared synthetic dyes | Screen for relevant prohibited or undeclared dyes using a suitable validated method; require an analyte list and reporting limits. | No target dyes detected. Pass | No target dyes detected. Pass | Target synthetic dye detected in example screen. Fail; investigate and reject pending resolution |
| Foreign fillers or undeclared ingredients | Use appropriate identity testing, such as microscopy, spectroscopy, or chromatographic fingerprinting, supported by a product specification. | Identity fingerprint consistent with declared beet root powder. Pass | Identity test reported; supporting chromatogram not supplied. Request raw data | Identity fingerprint consistent with declared beet root powder. Pass |
| Overall example assessment | Prefer batch-specific, complete, independently verifiable COAs with methods, units, limits, and clear pass/fail criteria. | Most complete example documentation; results meet the example specifications. | Results shown meet example limits, but request missing dates, pesticide analyte list, and accreditation details. | Example dye-screen failure; do not approve without investigation, corrective action, and satisfactory retesting. |