I was formulating a tincture for a client and I always recommend full lab testing (heavy metals, microbes, solvents, etc.) on finished products. Most batches pass. This one did not. It came back with high lead.
All ingredients had COAs showing no heavy metals, so I was confused until I checked the packaging the client had supplied: graduated pipette droppers printed with black ink. A quick lead test on the dropper ink confirmed it; the ink was the source. And these bottles were sourced from a large, reputable US based company.
The take away:
- If you are selling products, always lab-test batches, even if ingredients have clean COAs.
- Packaging can contaminate your product . Ask packaging suppliers for certified lead-free measured droppers (the companies I called offer a certified lead-free dropper printed with brown ink AND I was shocked to find out they sell droppers knowing they contain lead).
- Alcohol extracts pull metals more readily than water or oil-based products — extra reason to be cautious with tinctures.
- If you find contamination, you need to dispose of the batch safely.
- Check products on your shelf that use black-ink graduated droppers and stop using them.
- Spread the word.
I’m sharing this so others don’t learn the hard way. Don’t use the black-ink graduated droppers.