6
Test Categories
500+
Pesticides Screened
100%
Batches Lab Tested
7 Days
Avg. Testing Turnaround
Our Testing Philosophy

We Test So You Don't Have to Worry

In the global spice trade, documentation is not optional — it is the product. Buyers in the EU, US and Middle East face strict import controls and cannot afford a consignment rejection due to a failed lab test.

At UnitedSpices, we take ownership of that risk upstream. Every export batch is tested at independent, NABL-accredited laboratories before dispatch, covering all parameters mandated by EU Regulation 2023/915, FSSAI and major retail buyer specifications — the same rigour described on our Quality Standards page and backed by our certifications.

You receive a full Certificate of Analysis with every shipment — not as an afterthought, but as a core part of our export documentation package.

Chemical
Microbiological
Pesticide
Heavy Metals
Mycotoxins
Physical

Our Testing Promise

  • Independent NABL-accredited lab report for every batch — not a retained internal sample, but a third-party verified result
  • Full Certificate of Analysis covering all 6 test categories, shared digitally before shipment and in hard copy inside the consignment
  • EU MRL-compliant pesticide screening using GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS across 500+ compounds
  • Batch-level traceability: each report is linked to a specific lot number, packing date and dispatch reference
  • Custom testing panels available if your market or buyer specification requires additional parameters
NABL Accredited
Third-Party Labs

6 Categories of Rigorous Testing

Our testing panel is designed to satisfy the most demanding buyer specifications across all major import markets

Chemical & Biochemical

Core quality parameters and active compound verification

Parameters Tested

Moisture Content
Total & Acid-Insoluble Ash
Volatile Oil Content
Curcumin (HPLC) – Turmeric
Piperine (HPLC) – Pepper
ASTA Colour Value
Starch, Crude Fibre, Protein & Fat
Sudan Dye & Artificial Colour Screening
Methods used: AOAC, ISO 939, ISO 928, ASTA, HPLC for bioactives. Sudan dye by TLC/HPLC. Colour value by ASTA 20.

Microbiological

Pathogen and spoilage organism testing

Parameters Tested

Total Plate Count (TPC)
Yeast & Mould Count
Coliform Count
E. coli (Absence / 10g)
Salmonella (Absence / 25g)
Staphylococcus aureus
Listeria monocytogenes
Bacillus cereus
Methods used: ISO 4833, ISO 21527, ISO 16649, ISO 6579 (Salmonella), ISO 11290 (Listeria). All pathogen testing at NABL-accredited facilities.

Pesticide Residues

500+ compound multi-residue screening to EU MRL

Parameters Tested

Organophosphates
Organochlorines
Pyrethroids & Carbamates
Neonicotinoids
Triazoles, Fungicides & Herbicides
Ethylene Oxide (EO)
2-Chloroethanol (2-CE)
Total 500+ Compounds
Methods used: GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS multi-residue methods. Compliant with EU Regulation 396/2005 MRL limits. Ethylene oxide per EU Reg 2015/868.

Heavy Metals

Elemental contaminant testing per EU 2023/915

Parameters Tested

Lead (Pb)
Cadmium (Cd)
Arsenic (As) – Total & Inorganic
Mercury (Hg)
Chromium (Cr)
Nickel (Ni)
Tin (Sn)
Methods used: ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry) per EU Regulation 2023/915 and EC 1881/2006 limits. Inorganic arsenic by HPLC-ICP-MS.

Mycotoxins

Fungal toxin screening per EU and Codex limits

Parameters Tested

Aflatoxin B1, B2, G1 & G2
Total Aflatoxins (B1+B2+G1+G2)
Ochratoxin A (OTA)
Zearalenone (ZEN)
Deoxynivalenol (DON)
Fumonisin B1 & B2
T-2 & HT-2 Toxins
Methods used: LC-MS/MS with immunoaffinity column cleanup. Aflatoxin per EC 401/2006; OTA per EU Reg 2023/915. Results reported in ppb (µg/kg).

Physical Parameters

Grading, purity and appearance quality checks

Parameters Tested

Foreign & Extraneous Matter (%)
Bulk Density
Mesh / Particle Size
Insect Fragments
Rodent Hair / Excreta
Colour (Visual & Instrumental)
Irradiation Status
Methods used: ASTA cleanliness specifications, ISO 927 (foreign matter), sieve analysis for mesh, photo-stimulated luminescence (PSL) for irradiation screening.

Our Testing Process

From procurement to dispatch, every step is quality-gated — only batches that pass every parameter are released for export

Procurement & Intake

Raw spices are sourced from pre-approved farms as part of our Quality Standards process. Visual inspection and an initial moisture check are carried out at intake.

Pre-Approved FarmsIntake Moisture Check
01
02

Sample Drawn

Representative composite samples are drawn from each lot per ISO sampling protocols and sealed immediately to preserve chain of custody.

ISO Sampling ProtocolSealed on Site

Lab Submission

Samples are dispatched to a NABL-accredited third-party laboratory with full chain-of-custody documentation attached.

NABL Accredited LabsChain of Custody
03
04

Testing & Analysis

The full 6-category testing panel is conducted. Results are reviewed against the buyer specification and applicable regulatory limits.

6-Category PanelRegulatory Cross-Check

CoA Issued

A Certificate of Analysis is generated with the batch reference and shared with the buyer before shipment confirmation.

Batch-Linked CoAShared Pre-Shipment
05
06

Dispatch Cleared

Only batches passing every parameter are released for packing and export. Failed lots are rejected outright — no exceptions.

Pass/Fail GatedZero Exceptions

Regulatory Standards We Meet

Our testing panel is calibrated to satisfy all major import market regulations simultaneously

European Union

Full compliance with EU Regulation 396/2005 (pesticide MRLs), EC 1881/2006 & 2023/915 (contaminants), and EU spice import inspection requirements.

EU MRL EC 1881/2006 2023/915

United States (FDA/USDA)

Testing aligned with FDA Defect Action Levels, USDA Organic NOP standards for our certified organic lines, and FSMA Preventive Controls requirements.

FDA DAL USDA NOP FSMA

Codex Alimentarius

Spice-specific standards including Codex Stan 326-2017 and related commodity standards for maximum mycotoxin and contaminant levels.

STAN 326-2017 Codex MRL

FSSAI (India)

All spices comply with the Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations, 2011 and FSSAI spice quality standards, per our FSSAI certification.

FSSAI 2011 IS Standards

Middle East & GCC

Testing compatible with GSO and GCC standards for food safety. Halal certification available — UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar import requirements covered.

GSO Halal GCC

Organic Standards

NPOP (India) and NOP (USA) certified organic lines are tested to confirm the absence of synthetic pesticides and GMO content for premium organic buyers.

NPOP NOP / USDA Non-GMO

Certificate of Analysis (CoA)

Every export shipment is accompanied by a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis issued by the testing laboratory. The CoA is shared digitally before shipment and in hard copy inside the consignment — alongside the other export documents described in our certifications package.

Sample CoA reports are available for review during the inquiry stage — so you can verify our testing panel before placing an order.

Batch Traceability

Each CoA linked to a unique lot number and dispatch date

NABL Lab Issued

Only accredited third-party labs — no internal self-certification

Pre-Shipment Sharing

Digital CoA provided before shipment confirmation

Custom Panels

Additional parameters added on buyer request

Sample Certificate of Analysis

Illustrative — Turmeric Powder / Batch: USI-TRM-2026-04

Curcumin Content (HPLC) 4.12% PASS
Moisture Content 8.4% PASS
Aflatoxin Total (B1+B2+G1+G2) 3.1 ppb PASS
Salmonella spp. Not Detected PASS
Lead (Pb) 0.18 ppm PASS
Pesticide Residues (500+ cpds) ND / Compliant PASS
Foreign Matter 0.2% PASS

Lab Testing FAQs

What buyers want to know about our testing process and documentation

Is every batch tested, or only selected ones?

Every export batch is tested — not on a sampling or rotational basis. Each lot that leaves our facility has its own unique lab report linked to that specific batch number. We do not use blanket certificate coverage across multiple batches.

Which labs do you use? Are they NABL accredited?

We use exclusively NABL-accredited (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories) third-party labs in India. NABL accreditation is equivalent to ISO/IEC 17025, the international benchmark for testing laboratory competence. Lab names are disclosed in the CoA.

Can I see a sample CoA before placing an order?

Yes. Sample CoA reports for each spice are available on request during the inquiry stage. Simply mention it when you contact us or submit a quote request, and our team will share relevant reports for your review.

Do you test for ethylene oxide (EO)?

Yes. Ethylene oxide and its metabolite 2-chloroethanol (2-CE) are included in our pesticide residue panel for all EU-bound shipments, in compliance with EU Regulation 2015/868. We do not use ethylene oxide for fumigation — our fumigation method uses phosphine, and EO testing is carried out to verify the supply chain.

Can you add custom parameters for our buyer specification?

Absolutely. If your retail buyer, import authority, or internal QA team requires parameters beyond our standard panel — such as specific allergen testing, additional mycotoxins, veterinary drug residues, or microplastics — we can arrange testing for those parameters. Additional costs may apply depending on the method and volume.

How long does the testing process take?

Standard testing turnaround at our labs is 7–10 working days for a full panel. This is factored into our standard lead time of 10–15 business days from order confirmation. For repeat buyers with stable specifications, we maintain rolling test data that can reduce this timeline.

Request a Quote with Full Lab Documentation

Share your requirements and our team will respond with a personalised quote, sample CoA reports and complete export documentation details within 24 hours.