Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. This investigation is for information purposes only and does not qualify as medical advice. Please seek your doctor’s advice before starting any molecular hydrogen therapy regimes. 

Molecular Hydrogen Therapy Review of Clinical Studies

Molecular hydrogen therapy has generally demonstrated safety and numerous health benefits in clinical studies and trials, but it’s still important to check with your doctor before starting any new therapy. First off, hydrogen does not bind to hemoglobin in the bloodstream and thus has not induced heme-related toxic effects as other gases have. Animal and some human studies have not demonstrated harm, even across several delivery methods, including drinking H2-saturated water, inhaling H2 gas at different levels, injecting H₂-rich saline, and other methods such as topical application and dialysis. And finally, just to remind you, this gas has been employed by deep-sea divers to prevent decompression sickness for a long time with no side effects. For the purposes of this investigation, we will focus on gas inhalation and products to support those efforts.

By delivering hydrogen directly to the lungs via a hydrogen inhalation machine, this method enables faster absorption, making it a particularly appealing option for those seeking rapid results. Clinical studies and trials are the most important to look at because they are able to show you the truth beyond the placebo effect and marketing budgets.  Molecular hydrogen therapy seems to have positive effects when analyzing over 64 clinical studies and 81 registered clinical trials in some of the following categories:

• cardiovascular diseases,
• respiratory diseases,
• central nervous system disorders,
• infections,
• metabolic conditions and weight control,
• rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases,
• inflammation and pain

It’s also important to know what we do NOT yet know about molecular hydrogen therapy, because those gaps in the science are important for you to understand when you are being marketed to by several companies trying to sell you something. Here are some examples of what the clinical and peer-reviewed research has not told us yet:

• We have major issues with regulation and standardization. There is a lack of standardized manufacturing and testing protocols, leading to wide variability in product quality. Very few of these devices are formally approved as medical treatments; thus, these products operate as “wellness tools,” some for clinical use and some for home use.
• We do not know what the optimal dosing, duration, and frequency should be. We know 150-600+ ml/min for inhalation shows benefits in studies, but we lack precise “dose response” data for specific conditions. Is more or less better? It’s unclear, but we have categorized all units in our reporting by flow rate and placed the more professional machines in our “best” category.
• We don’t know the long-term effects of people using inhalation machines daily. Most of these studies are short-term, lasting weeks or months. Data on humans’ daily use of these machines is very limited. So, are there any subtle long-term risks, such as effects on the gut microbiome, hormone balance, or adaptation/tolerance? This can’t be answered yet, but hopefully will in time.
• We don’t fully understand the mechanisms of action in humans. H2 is a selective antioxidant and signaling molecule, but the exact pathways (beyond Nrf2, inflammation markers, and mitochondrial support) are not fully mapped out in humans. Much of our understanding is based on animal studies, which are very useful but do not yet paint the full picture.
• We don’t understand yet which conditions it helps the most. There is strong preliminary evidence for oxidative stress-related issues like inflammation, metabolic syndrome, respiratory conditions, post-exercise recovery, and some neurological support. However, we have mixed or weak results for others, like advanced cancer stand-alone treatments and cognitive decline in healthy people. In other words, be careful about the marketing claims when people are selling you machines.
• We don’t yet understand the best delivery methods and combinations. So, although it would logically make sense that hydrogen inhalation machines would be better because they deliver more H2 to your body, we cannot say that based on clinical studies. We also do not know if these practices will interact with other medications, supplements, or other therapies so please discuss treatment with your doctor before you start.
• We don’t understand the variability and why different people respond differently. In other words, why do some people see dramatic effects while others see minimal effects? Could factors like age, genetics, gut health, baseline oxidative stress, and microbiome play a role in outcomes and individual results? Possibly.

Not All Hydrogen Inhalation Machines are Created Equal

So now that you’ve decided to try molecular hydrogen therapy and want to purchase a hydrogen inhalation machine or generator, which models are best for your situation? Not all hydrogen inhalation machines are created equal. They vary greatly in price, dose flow rate, saturation, warranties, and online reviews. Here are some key features to look into.

Warranty

Most hydrogen inhalation machines we found had at least a one-year warranty. A few did not have a warranty. But some have up to a five-year and even a ten-year warranty. Obviously, the better the warranty, the better the machine when used as directed.

Type of Hydrogen Inhalation Units

We found many types of hydrogen inhalation machines & generators for hydrogen gas production. Molecular hydrogen gas machines are typically found in one of three types of units:

• Desktop Units: These are typically larger and offer higher flow rates. They are ideal for home use and typically involve hydrogen via nasal cannula.
• Portable Units: These compact devices are perfect for those who need to travel with their machine or prefer a smaller footprint. These units typically offer lower doses based on their size.
• Multi-Function Units: Some machines can produce both hydrogen gas for inhalation and hydrogen water for drinking, offering versatile health benefits. Some of these units even come with googles for eye care and headphones for inner ear care.

Mamavation’s Investigation into Hydrogen Inhalation Machines

Mamavation reached out to the most popular brands producing hydrogen inhalation machines and asked them specific questions about their products. We asked them to confirm their dose, purity, airflow, whether they had platinum-titanium electrodes, the quality of their proton exchange membranes, and whether they had independent third-party testing.

After getting all the responses back, we separated the machines into three groups: Not our favorite, better, & best.

• Not Our Favorite Hydrogen Inhalation Machines: These are weaker machines that would not be considered professional-grade. They may be fine for home use, but they have a weaker dose and flow rate of less than 600 ml/min. None of these brands had 3rd-party independent testing to substantiate their claims. Some of these brands did not respond to our inquiries at all.
• Better Hydrogen Inhalation Machines: Claim to have a dose & flow rate of at least 600 ml/min, but lack independent 3rd-party testing to back up their claims.
• Best Hydrogen Inhalation Machines: These machines would be considered the most reputable and professional. They have a dose & flow rate of 600 ml/min and 3rd-party testing to back up their claims. However, in this category, you get what you pay for because they are pricy.

Not Our Favorite Hydrogen Inhalation Machines

These machines & companies do not have strong capabilities for hydrogen inhalation. They also do not offer 3rd party independent testing.

• 3-in-1 Portable Hydrogen Inhalation & Water Generator, (Cost:$459, Flowrate: 240 ml/min, Purity: 99.996%)
• AquaGreen Hydrogen Inhaler, (Cost: $459, Flowrate: 225 ml/min, Purity: 99.99% )
• ASHLGQB Hydrogen Inhalation Machine (Cost: $720, Flowrate: 450 ml/min, Purity: 99.99% )
• Generic Dual-Port Inhaler model (Cost: $664, Flowrate: 450-1350 ml/min (dual splits when used), Purity: 99.99%)
• Hydrogen Water Bottle Generator with Inhaler (Cost: $109, Flowrate: 350 ml/min, Purity: 99.99%)
• Plafnio Hydrogen Inhalation Machine (Cost: $570, Flowrate: 270 ml/min, Purity: 99.99%)
• Pomya Hydrogen Inhalation Machine (Cost: $550, Flowrate: 225 ml/min, Purity: 99.99%)
• VEVOR Hydrogen Inhalation Machine (Cost: $329, Flowrate: 180 ml/min, Purity: 99.99% )
• VEVOR Hydrogen Inhalation Machine (Cost: $309, Flowrate: 225 ml/min, Purity: 99.99%)

Better Hydrogen Inhalation Machines

These machines & companies claim to have strong capabilities of 600 ml/min or above but do not offer independent laboratory reports to substantiate their claims.

• Axiom H2 HW600 (Cost: $6,500, Flowrate: 600 ml/min, Purity: 99.99% )
• FXNFXLA Hydrogen Inhalation Machine (Cost: $1,500, Flowrate: 1,500 ml/min, Purity: 99.99%)
• HLTH Hydrogen/Oxygen Inhalation Machine (Cost: $7,000, Flowrate: 600 ml/min, Purity: 99.99%)
• Promolife H2 Inhalation and Drinking System (Cost: $2,395, Flowrate: 850 ml/min, Purity: 66% mixed Brown’s gas)
• Vital Reaction Clinical Hydrogen Inhaler (Cost: $6,000-$9,000, Flowrate: 600-3,000 ml/min, Purity: 99.9%)

Best Hydrogen Inhalation Machines

These machines are professional-grade, and companies offered proof of their claims by sharing independent laboratory reports.

• DaVinci Medical H2-600 (Cost: $2,445, Flowrate: 900 ml/min, Purity: 99.99%)
• ECHO Refresh Hydrogen Inhalation Machine (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 10% off products)(Cost:$7,499, Flowrate: 1,800 ml/min (dual), Purity: 99.99%)
• H2HUBB HX900 (Cost: $2,374, Flowrate: 900 ml/min, Purity: 99.99% )
• H2ForWellness Hydro-Qube (Cost: $7,900, Flowrate: 1,900 ml/min, Purity: 99.99% )
• Jintvo Hydrogen Inhalation Machine (Cost: $900-$1,300, Flowrate: 900-1,800 ml/min, Purity: 99.99%)
• Qlife H2 Respire (Cost: $3,105, Flowrate: 999 ml/min, Purity: 99% )

The post Molecular Hydrogen Therapy & Hydrogen Inhalation Machines & Generators appeared first on MAMAVATION.

Disclosure: This consumer study is released in partnership with Environmental Health News. Donations were provided by Environmental Health News and Mamavation community members. Note that Mamavation has only “spot-checked” the industry and thus we cannot make predictions about brands and products that we have not tested. Products and manufacturing aides can change without notice so buyer beware. This post contains affiliate links, with most to Amazon, which means Mamavation will receive a portion of those sales and we will use that to pay ourselves back for the testing. You can also give a tax-deductible donation to our consumer studies here through Environmental Health Sciences. All Mamavation testing data is proprietary. If you’re interested in referencing our data on your website or app, please reach out to discuss licensing agreements. Copyright © 2026 Mamavation — All Rights Reserved

Mamavation Found Arsenic, Lead, & Cadmium in Rice

How much arsenic is in a typical cup of rice? Let’s find out. Previous studies have found high levels of arsenic in most rice products, so we created a rice consumer study tailored to the exact needs of Mamavation community members. Mamavation sent 56 rice & rice noodle products to an EPA-certified laboratory to test for total arsenic, lead, cadmium, & mercury. Because rice is the most significant source of arsenic (other than drinking water) that most Americans consume daily, we relied on donations from our audience to test exactly what they were already using.

Jasmine rice, basmati rice, brown rice, long-grain rice, parboiled rice, sushi rice, heirloom rice, forbidden rice, & ramen rice noodles were all sent to the laboratory and were found to contain various levels of arsenic and other heavy metals. Here are some of the main findings:

• 100% of rice samples contained detectable total arsenic. That’s 56 out of 56 rice products. One wheat product (Orzo) had no detectable total arsenic.
• Rice arsenic levels ranged from 0.013 ug/g to 0.289 ug/g total arsenic. This can also be described as 13 to 289 parts per billion (ppb).
• The average rice product contamination was 113 total arsenic. 
• Highest Arsenic Products: Mamavation sent two products with over 10 mcg of total arsenic per 45 mg of rice for further testing of inorganic arsenic. They came back with concerning levels of inorganic arsenic– 175 ppb and 222 ppb total inorganic arsenic. These samples were from China, Heilongjiang Province, and Louisiana.
• Geography of Highest Arsenic: Rice products with the highest total arsenic were from China, Thailand, Louisiana, Texas, & South Carolina.
• Geography of Lowest Arsenic: Rice products with the lowest total arsenic were from California, India, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, & China.

Linda S. Birnbaum, Scientist Emeritus and Former Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and National Toxicology Program & Scholar in Residence at Duke University, Adjunct Professor at the University of North Carolina, & Yale University, had this to say after she reviewed this consumer study: “Pay close attention to how much arsenic is in your rice if you are raising young children or are pregnant. Mamavation has made this easy for you to navigate with its rice testing. Overall, this is a big problem for women who are pregnant, feeding small children, and people who consume lots of rice. So if you eat lots of rice, it’s best to opt for safer brands or types of rice lower in arsenic.”

Health-Related Impacts Linked to Overconsumption of Arsenic

Arsenic is a carcinogen that, with chronic exposure, is linked to bladder, lung, and skin cancers. Its most toxic form, inorganic arsenic, is found in the environment and around industrial processes. Early-life exposures to inorganic arsenic in utero are especially dangerous. Here are some additional health-related impacts linked to overconsumption of arsenic.

• Spontaneous abortion & stillbirths
• Increase in preterm births
• Neurodevelopmental disorders
• Behavioral disorders
• Cancer (bladder, lung & skin cancers)
• Skin lesions
• Cardiovascular disease
• Diabetes

For most of the world, exposure to arsenic is through contaminated groundwater. Inorganic arsenic is naturally present at high levels in groundwater in Argentina, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Chile, China, India, Mexico, Pakistan, the United States of America, and Vietnam.  Acute poisoning results in vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, followed by numbness and tingling of the extremities, muscle cramping, and even death, in extreme cases. Children are especially vulnerable to arsenic, and in such rare cases, they are referred to a medical toxicologist, Poison Control Center, or Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit for possible chelation therapy. You can check the arsenic levels in your public water district here, through the Environmental Working Group’s Tapwater Database.

How to Lower Arsenic Exposure for Children

If you are pregnant or caring for small children, lowering your exposure to arsenic is important. There are many things you can do, and we would love to help you get started!

• Drinking Water: The official recommendation from health professionals is to consider drinking bottled water in areas with elevated arsenic levels in the drinking water. You can check the water in your area here. Unfortunately, boiling water does not remove arsenic. However, we also worry a bit about exposing children to microplastics in bottled water, so perhaps the best solution is to get a good water purifier for your home. Finding a good water purifier that can reduce arsenic levels is tricky. Most systems do not filter arsenic well, but we have linked some reliable systems that can handle it below. Here are our three water filter recommendations specifically for handling arsenic in water:
  •  Clearly Filtered 3 Stage Under the Sink Water Filtration System with Affinity Filtration Technology (or you can alternatively use their Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher with Affinity Filtration Technology)  (This link will deduct 10% off purchase.) 
  • AquaSauna SmartFlow Reverse Osmosis (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 10% off purchases!)
  •  AQUA TRU Countertop Water Filtration Reverse Osmosis or Under the Sink model (This link will automatically deduct $100 off a unit for you at checkout.)
• Diet: Generally, varied diets based on whole foods are recommended rather than relying on prepackaged rice products.
  • Limit consumption of anything derived from rice, like rice syrups or rice cereals. Check the ingredients in your packaged foods and limit the amount of rice-containing food you consume.
  • Iron-fortified rice cereal is not the best first grain for infants; instead, other options such as oats, barley, and multigrain cereals should be introduced. These alternative grains can become a staple among older kids too.
  • Preparing Rice: When preparing rice for children, rinse it before cooking. Cook the rice in plenty of water, as you would pasta. The arsenic will leach from the rice into the water, and you can dump it out. This will reduce the total amount of arsenic you are exposed to.
• Limit consumption of fruit juices, especially grape and apple. Here are our recommendations for the safest apple juice brands based on a prior study released by Consumer Reports looking at arsenic levels:
  • 365 Everyday Value (Whole Foods) Organic Apple Juice, 100% Juice
  • Juicy Juice Organics 100% Juice, Apple (single juice box)
  • Honest Kids Organic Juice Drink, Goodness Grapeness (single juice box)
  • Simply Balanced (Target) Organic Apple Juice, 100% Juice
• Avoid Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA) when treating wood or decking and opt for safer alternatives. Here are some better options for decking and furniture.
  • Vermont Natural Coatings Bohme’s Terra Plus Exterior Deck Stain
  • Vermont Natural Coatings Penetrating Waterproofer Infused with Juniper
  • Vermont Natural Coatings PolyWhey Exterior Penetrating Stain
  • Rubio Monocoat Hybrid Wood Protector
• Avoid allowing your children to play in dirt around industrial areas, especially locations with smelters, welders, woodworkers, chemical plants, glass manufacturing, and maintenance crews.

Types of Rice — What We Tested

There are two main types of rice: Indica and Japonica. Indica rice, better known as long-grain rice, such as Basmati and Jasmine rice, is long and slim. Japonica rice is a medium to short-grain rice and is stickier, shorter, or rounder. Wild rice is not true rice because it comes from a grass family, but we know you eat it so we won’t be splitting hairs here. Here are the types of rice we tested, broken into categories:

• Basmati Rice — Basmati rice is a long-grained rice with a nutty flavor and aroma. This type of rice becomes very fluffy when cooked and is used in South Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines.
• Jasmine Rice — Jasmine rice is another long-grained rice with a floral scent and slightly sweet flavor, native to Southeast Asia. Jasmine rice from Thailand is also known as “Thai Hom Mali”.
• Brown Rice — Brown rice is a whole-grain rice containing the rice kernel, including the germ and the endosperm. This rice is higher in fiber. Technically, any other rice that maintains its structure can be brown rice. Brown rice typically has more arsenic than white rice because of the hull.
• Black “Forbidden” Rice — considered a whole grain because it has retained its bran, germ, and endosperm. It’s very dark in color and less popular in the US than other rice categories.
• Wild Rice — This rice has more fiber and protein than other rices. The colors can vary.
• Rice Noodles — We included this category for noodles made from rice. Some products are transparent about what type of rice they use, while others are not.
• Parboiled — This rice is partially cooked in the husk, and then the husk is removed. This is also referred to as “easy cook” rice.
• Sushi & Other Short-Grain Rice — This category is a general section where we have to stuff many additional types of rice, like sushi rice and sticky rice.

How Arsenic Finds Its Way Into Rice & Rice Cereals

How does arsenic contaminate rice? The answer to that question is both complicated and straightforward. Rice is the number one source of arsenic for most Americans, but if you eat lots of chicken, mushrooms, or seafood, your arsenic levels may be even higher. Here are the main exposure pathways for arsenic in rice:

• Geographic locations and farming practices in that area can affect arsenic levels in rice. For instance, rice from California may have less arsenic than rice from Texas or Louisiana.
• Rice paddies take up more arsenic than other plants, so the naturally present arsenic will increase in rice in a way that doesn’t happen in other plants.
• The local water supply may have higher arsenic levels, and if used for irrigation, it will increase arsenic levels in rice. Certain areas, such as Los Angeles, Houston, & Spokane, have higher levels of arsenic in their water.
• Legacy Pesticide Use: Rice farms that were once used for other crops, such as cotton or tobacco, may already have arsenic contamination in the soil from prior pesticide use.
• Most rice paddy farms are heavily irrigated, turning them into mud patches that never dry out and, over time, concentrate arsenic.
• Arsenic-containing drugs: Sometimes arsenic-containing drugs and feed additives are fed to chickens to keep them from getting sick, but this also increases arsenic in their feces. This arsenic-filled chicken poop can be used in composting, which can then enter the general food supply and be taken up by plants or eaten by farm animals.

Best Rice Cookers

We’ve been researching the safest cookware and small kitchen appliances for years, so we wanted to share with you the safest rice cookers free from PFAS “forever chemical” coatings. Most rice cookers are coated with PFAS “forever chemicals” or different coatings containing nanoparticles. The safest options for rice cookers are stainless steel, cladding materials, or uncoated ceramic, and they can make perfect rice with a fluffy texture. The stainless steel inner rice bowl should be dishwasher-safe, not the entire machine. Not all accessories are approved if they are made of plastic, such as a plastic steamer basket or plastic rice paddle. Most of these machines have a tempered glass lid and a safe heating element, and they can also be set to warm mode to keep warm. Increasing the water ratio in the rice cooker and then tossing the excess water helps reduce arsenic in each bowl of rice.

• Aroma Housewares Select Stainless Rice Cooker & Warmer
• Aroma Housewares Black Select 6 Cup Stainless Rice Cooker & Warmer
• Aroma Housewares Red Select 6 cup Stainless Rice Cooker & Warmer
• Buffalo Classic Rice Cooker (with Clad Stainless Steel Inner Pot) – 5 Cups
• Buffalo White IH Smart Cooker, Rice Cooker & Warmer 
• Elite Gourmet 6 Cup Rice Cooker
• Tatung Stainless Steel Rice Cooker
• Vita Clay 2-n-1 Chef Rice Cooker (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for $30 off products)
• Vita Clay Smart Organic Rice Cooker (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for $30 off products)(This brand has low levels of lead inside the ceramic. All public migration labs commissioned by the brand have been non-detect. However, the lead levels found by independent bloggers are below 90 ppm on food-contact surfaces, which is considered very low for ceramic. Because the State of California bases lead exposure on migration testing for small kitchen appliances, this brand does not require a Prop. 65 warning because it doesn’t leach lead at the levels that are concerning. So, can you find lead in there? Yes. Is it leaching in a concerning way? The State of CA would say no.)

Interested in other small kitchen appliances and cookware investigations? Here are some additional studies we have done that you may be interested in:

Cookware & Bakeware

• Cookware
• Ceramic Cookware
• Stainless Steel Cookware
• Cupcake & Muffin Pans
• Baking Sheets, Cookie Sheets, and Sheet Pans

Other Kitchen Accessories

• Glass Measuring Cups
• Kitchen Utensils
• Cutting Boards
• Reusable Water Bottles

Small Kitchen Appliances

• Water Filters
• Air Fryers & Air Fryer Ovens
• Juicers
• Kitchen Stand Mixers
• Rice Cookers
• Waffle Makers
• Indoor Kitchen Grills & Paninis
• Blenders
• Nut Milk Makers
• Food Processors
• Toasters & Toaster Ovens
• Outdoor Grills & BBQs
• Ice Cream Makers
• Slow Cookers
• Espresso Machines & Mokas
• Electric Kettles

Food Packaging

• Disposable plates & foodware
• Cupcake Liners
• Plastic Free Disposable Straws
• Sandwich Bags like Ziploc

Serving & Plating

• Dishes & Dishware
• Silverware

Mamavation’s Investigation on Rice Tested for Arsenic, Lead, Cadmium, & Mercury

To recap, Mamavation sent 56 rice products to an EPA-certified laboratory to be tested for arsenic, cadmium, mercury & lead. 100% of rice products had detectable amounts of total arsenic.

Mamavation accepted rice donations from women across the United States in the following categories: jasmine rice, basmati rice, sushi rice, long-grain rice, brown rice, rice noodles, forbidden rice, wild rice, and parboiled rice. After receiving the rice, we recorded the information, took pictures, and sent the products to an EPA-certified laboratory for analysis. Rice that was above 0.22 mcg/g (10 mcg of arsenic per 45-gram serving), was sent back for more inorganic arsenic testing. We then estimated inorganic arsenic in other products by using a summary assessment of inorganic arsenic in rice published in 2024. Based on that study, we estimated that inorganic arsenic accounts for 72.7% of the total arsenic found. We included those estimates for all products in the raw data below.

We divided the rice products into 3 categories according to contamination levels. These levels reflect the overall heavy metal contamination in each product but do not align with specific government recommendations.

• ug/g = 1 ppm = 1000 ppb
• ug/kg = 1 ppb
• <MRL means less than “maximum residue limit,” which means it can be found, but it’s so small it can’t be quantified.
• ND = non-detect

Product Brands We Tested
To help our community make safer choices, Mamavation sent a wide range of popular rice products to our EPA-certified laboratory for heavy metal testing.

• 4Sisters & a Rice Farm in Louisiana Extra Long Grain Organic Brown Rice
• 365 WFM Organic Thai Jasmine White Rice
• 365 WFM Organic White Rice Long Grain 
• Azure Market Organic Heirloom Rice Basmati, White
• Azure Market Organic Heirloom Rice Basmati, Brown
• Azure Market Organic Brown Basmati Rice Imported
• Azure Market Organic White Basmati Rice Imported
• Bowl & Basket Basmati Rice Extra Long Grain (ShopRite)
• Carolina Plantation Carolina Gold Rice Plantation 
• Goya Thai Jasmine Rice Imported by Thailand
• Great Value Jasmine Rice Thai Hom Mali
• Jasberry Organic Superfood Rice
• Khazana Organic Sona Masoori Rice 
• Koda Farms Organic Biologique Kokuho Rose Medium Grain Rice Riz Complet Au Terroir Heirloom Rice California Grown (Blue bag) 
• Koda Farms Organic Biologique Kokuho Rose Medium Grain Brown Rice Riz a Grain Moyen Au Terroir Heirloom Rice California grown (Green/Yellow bag) 
• Lotus Foods Organic Forbidden Rice Whole Grain Heirloom
• Lotus Foods Organic Red Rice 
• Lotus Foods Organic Jade Pearl Rice Ramen
• Lotus Foods Organic Brown Pad Thai Rice Noodles
• Lotus Foods Organic Jade Pearl Rice
• Lotus Foods Organic Millet & Brown Rice Ramen Red Miso Soup
• Lotus Foods Millet & Brown Rice Ramen Red Miso Soup (not organic)
• Lotus Foods Organic Traditional Pad Thai Brown Rice Noodles
• Lotus Foods Organic Traditional Pho Rice Noodles 100% Heirloom Rice
• Lotus Foods Organic Brown Udon Rice Noodles 100% Brown Rice
• Lotus Food Heirloom Kalijira Rice Organic White Quick Cook Rice (Now called Lotus Foods Organic White Baby Basmati Rice Regenerative Organic Certified)
• Lotus Foods Organic Brown Basmati Rice Regenerative Organic Certified
• Lotus Foods Organic White Basmati Rice Regenerative Organic Certified
• Lotus Foods Organic Brown Jasmine Rice 
• Lotus Foods Organic Brown Basmati Rice Regenerative Organic Certified
• Lotus Foods Organic Buckwheat & Brown Soba Rice Noodles 100% Organic Whole Grains
• Lotus Foods Organic White Jasmine & Forbidden Rice for Microwave 
• Lundberg Family Farms Organic California Brown Basmati Gourmet Rice
• Lundberg Family Farms Black Pearl Rice Regenerative Organic Certified
• Lundberg Family Farms Organic Sprouted Brown Basmati Gourmet Rice
• Lundberg Family Farms Sustainable California White Basmati Gourmet Rice (not organic)
• Lundberg Family Farms Organic Brown Rice Short Grain Regenerative Organic Certified
• Lundberg Family Farms Organic Sprouted Brown Short Grain Gourmet Rice
• Lundberg Family Farms Sustainable Wild Blend Gourmet rice
• Lundberg Family Farms Organic California Brown Gourmet Rice BASMATI
• Lundberg Family Farms Regenerative Organic Certified White Rice Sushi
• Lundberg Family Farms Jasmine White Rice Regenerative Organic Certified
• Lundberg Family Farms Jasmine White Rice Regenerative Organic Certified
• Lundberg Family Farms Long Grain White Rice Regenerative Organic Certified
• Mahatma America’s Favorite Rice Extra Long Enriched Rice
• Massa Organics Brown Rice
• Now Food Organic Raw Sprouted Brown Rice
• Ocean’s Halo Organic Rice Noodles
• Ocean’s Halo Organic Ramen Noodles
• Ocean’s Halo Organic Short Grain Sticky Rice for Sushi
• Parish Rice Higher Protein Certified Cajun GMO Free 
• Planet Rice Organic Sprouted Brown Medium Grain Rice
• Riceselect Black Premium Black Rice
• Royal Authentic Basmati Rice (not organic)
• Royal Organic Basmati Rice
• Texas Best Organic Rices White Jasmine Rice
• Thrive Market Organic White Jasmine Rice
• The Fresh Market Organic Basmati Long Grain Rice
• Trader Joe’s Organic Jasmine Rice from Thailand
• Trader Joe’s Organic Basmati Rice
• Trader Joe’s ORZO Macaroni Product (Technically not rice, because it’s made from wheat, but we included it anyway because you asked us to.)

Not Our Favorite Rice

All products had detectable arsenic. However, products in this category contained more than 0.15 ug/g of total arsenic. The estimated inorganic arsenic is 72.7% of the total arsenic found. * means the arsenic amount was so high that we sent it back to the lab to test for inorganic arsenic instead of doing an estimation of inorganic arsenic.

Not Our Favorite Basmati Rice

• Nothing to report in this category. 

Not Our Favorite Brown Rice

• Nothing to report in this category. 

Not Our Favorite Jasmine Rice

• Texas Best Organic Rices White Jasmine Rice — 0.183 ug/g total arsenic, 0.133 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.01 ug/g cadmium, non-detect lead, & non-detect mercury.

Not Our Favorite Long-Grain Rice

• *4Sisters & a Rice Farm in Louisiana Extra Long Grain Organic Brown Rice–– 0.289 ug/g total arsenic, 0.175 ug/g inorganic arsenic, 0.012 ug/g cadmium, non-detect lead, & <MRL mercury.
• 365 WFM Organic White Rice Long Grain — 0.208 ug/g total arsenic, 0.151 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.029 ug/g cadmium, non-detect lead, <MRL mercury.
• Carolina Plantation Carolina Gold Rice Plantation — 0.206 ug/g total arsenic, 0.149 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.043 ug/g cadmium, non-detect lead, & non-detect mercury.
• Mahatma America’s Favorite Rice Extra Long Enriched Rice — 0.19 ug/g total arsenic, 0.138 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.018 ug/g cadmium, non-detect lead, & non-detect mercury.
• Parish Rice Higher Protein Certified Cajun GMO Free — 0.189 ug/g total arsenic, 0.137 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.003 ug/g cadmium, non-detect lead, & non-detect mercury.

Not Our Favorite Miscellaneous Rice

• Jasberry Organic Superfood Rice — 0.15 ug/g total arsenic, 0.109 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.07 ug/g cadmium, <MRL lead, & non-detect mercury.
• *Lotus Foods Organic Forbidden Rice Whole Grain Heirloom — 0.278 ug/g total arsenic, 0.222 ug/g inorganic arsenic, non-detect cadmium, <MRL lead, & non-detect mercury.
• Lundberg Family Farms Black Pearl Rice Regenerative Organic Certified — 0.195 ug/g total arsenic, 0.142 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.05 ug/g cadmium, 0.05 ug/g cadmium, <MRL lead, & 0.042 ug/g mercury.
• Lotus Foods Organic Red Rice — 0.196 ug/g total arsenic, 0.142 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.004 ug/g cadmium, <MRL lead, & non-detect mercury.
• Riceselect Black Premium Black Rice — 0.204 ug/g total arsenic, 0.148 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.011 ug/g cadmium, <MRL lead, & non-detect mercury.

Not Our Favorite Ramen & Rice Noodles

• Lotus Foods Organic Jade Pearl Rice Ramen: 0.17 ug/g total arsenic, 0.12 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, <MRL cadmium, 0.01 ug/g lead, & non-detect mercury.
• Lotus Foods Organic Brown Rice Pad Thai Rice Noodles: 0.16 ug/g total arsenic, 0.12 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.01 ug/g cadmium, 0.01 ug/g lead, & non-detect mercury.

Not Our Favorite Sushi Rice

• Nothing to report in this category. 

Better Rice

All products had detectable arsenic. However, products in this category had between 0.1 and 0.14 ug/g of total arsenic. The FDA has an action level of 100 parts per billion (ppb), or 0.1 ug/g, for inorganic arsenic in infant formula. Some products may have lower arsenic levels, but they were not organic, so they were placed in this category. The estimated inorganic arsenic is 72.7% of the total arsenic found, based on a summary assessment.

Better Basmati Rice

• Bowl & Basket Basmati Rice Extra Long Grain (ShopRite): 0.115 ug/g total arsenic, 0.08 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.03 ug/g cadmium, <MRL lead, & non-detect mercury
• Lundberg Family Farms Organic Sprouted Brown Basmati Gourmet Rice: 0.102 ug/g total arsenic, 0.07 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.015 ug/g cadmium, <MRL lead, & non-detect mercury
• Lundberg Family Farms Sustainable California White Basmati Gourmet Rice (not organic): 0.079 ug/g total arsenic, 0.05 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.012 ug/g cadmium, non-detect lead, & non-detect mercury
• Royal Authentic Basmati Rice (not organic): 0.038 ug/g total arsenic, 0.02 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.007 ug/g cadmium, <MRL lead, & non-detect mercury

Better Brown Rice

• Koda Farms Organic Biologique Kokuho Rose Medium Grain Brown Rice Riz a Grain Moyen Au Terr0ir Heirloom Rice California grown (Green/Yellow bag) — 0.136 ug/g total arsenic, 0.099 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.003 ug/g cadmium, <MRL lead, & non-detect mercury.
• Lundberg Family Farms Organic Brown Rice Short Grain Regenerative Organic Certified— 0.11 ug/g total arsenic, 0.08 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.003 ug/g cadmium, non-detect lead, & non-detect mercury.
• Lundberg Family Farms Organic Sprouted Brown Short Grain Gourmet Rice— 0.102 ug/g total arsenic, 0.074 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.015 ug/g cadmium, <MRL lead, & non-detect mercury.
• Massa Organics Brown Rice— 0.134 ug/g total arsenic, 0.097 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.005 ug/g cadmium, non-detect lead, & non-detect mercury.
• Now Food Organic Raw Sprouted Brown Rice— 0.12 ug/g total arsenic, 0.087 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.005 ug/g cadmium, non-detect lead, & non-detect mercury.

Better Jasmine Rice

• 365 WFM Organic Thai Jasmine White Rice — 0.11 ug/g total arsenic, 0.08 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.005 ug/g cadmium, non-detect lead, & non-detect mercury
• Goya Thai Jasmine Rice Imported by Thailand — 0.11 ug/g total arsenic, 0.08 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.005 ug/g cadmium, 0.006 ug/g lead, & non-detect mercury
• *Great Value Jasmine Rice Thai Hom Mali — 0.084 ug/g total arsenic, 0.061 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.007 ug/g cadmium, non-detect lead, & non-detect mercury
• Thrive Market Organic White Jasmine Rice — 0.135 ug/g total arsenic, 0.098 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.006 ug/g cadmium, non-detect lead, & non-detect mercury
• Trader Joe’s Organic Jasmine Rice from Thailand — 0.106 ug/g total arsenic, 0.077 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.004 ug/g cadmium, non-detect lead, & non-detect mercury

Better Long Grain Rice

• Nothing to report in this category. 

Better Miscellaneous Rice

• Lundberg Family Farms Sustainable Wild Blend Gourmet Rice — 0.118 ug/g total arsenic, 0.086 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.011 ug/g cadmium, non-detect lead, & non-detect mercury.
• Lotus Foods Organic Jade Pearl Rice — 0.137 ug/g total arsenic,  0.099 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, non-detect cadmium, <MRL lead, & non-detect mercury.

Better Ramen & Rice Noodles

• Lotus Foods Organic Millet & Brown Rice Ramen Red Miso Soup: 0.11 ug/g total arsenic, 0.08 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.01 ug/g cadmium, 0.05 ug/g lead,  & non-detect mercury. (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 10% off products!) (Or buy on Amazon here.)
• Lotus Foods Millet & Brown Rice Ramen Red Miso Soup (not organic): 0.13 ug/g total arsenic, 0.09 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.06 ug/g cadmium, 0.13 ug/g lead, & non-detect mercury. (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 10% off products!) (Or buy on Amazon here.)
• Lotus Foods Organic Traditional Pad Thai Rice Noodles:  0.10 ug/g total arsenic, 0.08 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.07 ug/g cadmium, <MRL lead, & non-detect mercury. (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 10% off purchase) (Or buy on Amazon here)
• Lotus Foods Organic Traditional Pho Rice Noodles 100% Heirloom Rice: 0.11 ug/g total arsenic, 0.08 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.01 ug/g cadmium, 0.02 ug/g lead, & non-detect mercury. (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 10% off products!) (Or buy on Amazon here)
• Lotus Foods Organic Brown Udon Rice Noodles 100% Brown Rice: 0.13 ug/g total arsenic, 0.09 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, <MRL cadmium, 0.01 ug/g lead, & non-detect mercury. (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 10% off products!) (Or buy on Amazon here)

Better Sushi Rice

• Nothing to report in this category.  

Best Rice

Most products had detectable arsenic. However, products in our “best” category had less than 0.1 ug/g of total arsenic. The FDA has an action level of 100 parts per billion (ppb), or 0.1 ug/g, for inorganic arsenic in infant formula. <MRL means less than “maximum residue limit,” which translates to it can be found, but it’s so small it can’t be quantified. The estimated inorganic arsenic is 72.7% of the total arsenic found.

Best Basmati Rice

• Azure Market Organic Heirloom Rice Basmati, White: 0.059 ug/g total arsenic, 0.04 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic,  <MRL cadmium, 0.011 ug/g lead, & non-detect mercury
• Azure Market Organic Heirloom Rice Basmati, Brown: 0.094 ug/g total arsenic, 0.06 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.003 ug/g cadmium, 0.063 ug/g lead, & non-detect mercury
• Azure Market Organic Brown Basmati Rice Imported: 0.098 ug/g total arsenic, 0.07 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.003 ug/g cadmium, 0.061 ug/g lead, & non-detect mercury
• Azure Market Organic White Basmati Rice Imported: 0.077 ug/g total arsenic, 0.05 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.003 ug/g cadmium, 0.03 ug/g lead, & non-detect mercury
• Lotus Food Heirloom Kalijira Rice Organic White Quick Cook Rice (Now called Lotus Foods Organic White Baby Basmati Rice Regenerative Organic Certified): 0.09 ug/g total arsenic, 0.06 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.024 ug/g cadmium, <MRL lead, & non-detect mercury. (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 10% off your order!) (Or purchase on Amazon here)
• Lotus Foods Organic Brown Basmati Rice Regenerative Organic Certified: 0.081 ug/g total arsenic, 0.05 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.031 ug/g cadmium, 0.012 ug/g lead, & non-detect mercury (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 10% off your purchase!) (Or purchase on Amazon here)
• Lotus Foods Organic White Basmati Rice Regenerative Organic Certified: 0.036 ug/g total arsenic, 0.026 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.023 ug/g cadmium, 0.008 ug/g lead, & non-detect mercury (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 10% off your purchase!)(Or purchase on Amazon here)
• Lundberg Family Farms Organic Basmati California Brown Gourmet Rice: 0.065 ug/g total arsenic, 0.04 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.004 ug/g cadmium, <MRL lead, & non-detect mercury
• Royal Organic Basmati Rice: 0.044 ug/g total arsenic, 0.03 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.041 ug/g cadmium, <MRL lead, & non-detect mercury
• The Fresh Market Organic Basmati Long Grain Rice: 0.052 ug/g total arsenic, 0.03 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.04 ug/g cadmium, <MRL lead, & non-detect mercury
• Trader Joe’s Organic Basmati Rice: 0.058 ug/g total arsenic, 0.04 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.03 ug/g cadmium, non-detect lead, & non-detect mercury

Best Brown Rice

• Azure Market Organic Heirloom Rice Basmati, Brown — 0.094 ug/g total arsenic, 0.068 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.003 ug/g cadmium, 0.063 ug/g lead, & non-detect mercury.
• Azure Market Organic Brown Basmati Rice Imported — 0.098 ug/g total arsenic, 0.071 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.003 ug/g cadmium, 0.061 ug/g lead, & non-detect mercury.
• Lotus Foods Organic Brown Jasmine Rice  — 0.046 ug/g total arsenic, 0.033 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, <MRL cadmium, <MRL lead, & non-detect mercury (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 10% off your order!) (Or Purchase on Amazon here.)
• Lotus Foods Organic Brown Basmati Rice Regenerative Organic Certified: 0.081 ug/g total arsenic, 0.05 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.031 ug/g cadmium, 0.012 ug/g lead, & non-detect mercury (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 10% off your purchase!) (Or purchase it on Amazon here)
• Lundberg Family Farms Organic Basmati California Brown Gourmet Rice— 0.065 ug/g total arsenic, 0.047 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.004 ug/g cadmium, <MRL lead, & non-detect mercury.
• Planet Rice Organic Sprouted Brown Medium Grain Rice— 0.088 ug/g total arsenic, 0.063 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.022 ug/g cadmium, non-detect lead, & non-detect mercury.

Best Jasmine Rice

• Lotus Foods Organic Brown Jasmine Rice  — 0.046 ug/g total arsenic, 0.033 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, <MRL cadmium, <MRL lead, & non-detect mercury (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 10% off your order!) (Or purchase on Amazon here.)
• Lotus Foods Organic White Jasmine & Forbidden Rice for Microwave  — 0.056 ug/g total arsenic, 0.04 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.003 ug/g cadmium, non-detect lead, & non-detect mercury (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 10% off your order!) (Or purchase on Amazon here)
• Lundberg Family Farms Jasmine White Rice Regenerative Organic Certified — 0.036 ug/g total arsenic, 0.026 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.005 ug/g cadmium, non-detect lead, & non-detect mercury

Best Long Grain Rice

• Khazana Organic Sona Masoori Rice — 0.072 ug/g total arsenic, 0.052 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.02 ug/g cadmium, non-detect lead, & non-detect mercury.
• Lundberg Family Farms Long Grain White Rice Regenerative Organic Certified–– 0.048 ug/g total arsenic, 0.035 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.006 ug/g cadmium, non-detect lead, & non-detect mercury.

Best Miscellaneous Rice

• Trader Joe’s ORZO Macaroni Product — non-detect total arsenic, <MRL lead, 0.024 ug/g cadmium, & non-detect mercury. (Technically not rice, because it’s made from wheat.)

Best Ramen & Rice Noodles

• Ocean’s Halo Organic Rice Noodles: 0.065 ug/g total arsenic, 0.05 ug/g total estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.031 ug/g cadmium, 0.01 ug/g lead, & non-detect mercury.
• Lotus Foods Organic Buckwheat & Brown Soba Rice Noodles 100% Organic Whole Grains: 0.07 ug/g total arsenic, 0.05 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.01 ug/g cadmium, <MRL lead, & non-detect mercury. (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 10% off products!) (Or purchase on Amazon here)
• Ocean’s Halo Organic Ramen Noodles: 0.01 ug/g total arsenic, 0.01 ug/g estimated arsenic, 0.01 ug/g cadmium, 0.012 ug/g lead, & non-detect mercury.

Best Sushi Rice

• Koda Farms Organic/Biologique Kokuho Rose Medium Grain Rice Riz a Grain Moyen Au Terroir Heirloom Rice California Grown (Blue bag) — 0.078 ug/g total arsenic, 0.057 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.003 ug/g cadmium, non-detect lead, & non-detect mercury.
• Lundberg Family Farms Regenerative Organic Certified White Rice Sushi — 0.056 ug/g total arsenic, 0.041 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.004 ug/g cadmium, non-detect lead, & non-detect mercury.
• Ocean’s Halo Organic Short Grain Sticky Rice— 0.095 ug/g total arsenic, 0.069 ug/g estimated inorganic arsenic, 0.008 ug/g cadmium, non-detect lead, & non-detect mercury.

The post Rice Tested for Lead & Arsenic — Guide Compilation appeared first on MAMAVATION.

Disclosure: This consumer study is released in partnership with Environmental Health News. Donations were provided by Environmental Health News and Mamavation community members. Note that Mamavation has only “spot-checked” the industry and thus we cannot make predictions about brands and products that we have not tested. Products and manufacturing aides can change without notice, so buyer beware. This post contains affiliate links, most of which are to Amazon, which means Mamavation will receive a portion of those sales, and we will use that to pay ourselves back for the testing. You can also give a tax-deductible donation to our consumer studies here through Environmental Health Sciences. Thank you!  All Mamavation testing data is proprietary. If you’re interested in referencing our data on your website or app, please reach out to discuss licensing agreements. Copyright © 2026 Mamavation — All Rights Reserved

Glyphosate–A Powerful Toxic Herbicide That Has Taken Over World

Glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl) glycine] is the active ingredient in glyphosate-based herbicides (GBH) and is also the most popular herbicide in the world. Its environmental presence increased sharply after the introduction of “Roundup Ready” crops in 1996, which allowed glyphosate to be sprayed onto crops without killing them. Beyond agriculture, glyphosate is extensively used in landscaping, roadside maintenance, golf courses, and vegetation control in fire-prone areas.

Environmental exposure to this broad-based herbicide has increased dramatically since the introduction of “Round-up Ready” genetically modified (GMO) crops in 1996 for soybean, maize, and cotton varieties. “Round-up Ready” genetically modified crops made it possible to utilize glyphosate as a broadcast herbicide while not killing the crops they were sprayed on. Glyphosate is also extensively used in deforestation efforts, such as killing brush in fire zones, and is relied on heavily by landscapers to kill weeds in green belts and on golf courses. Ultimately, glyphosate is used to eliminate weeds and shrubs, including annual and perennial grasses, broadleaf weeds, and woody species.

Glyphosate is applied in a variety of forms: isopropylamine salt, ammonium salt, diammonium salt, dimethylammonium salt, and potassium salt. Thus, it’s important to understand that when glyphosate is applied to crops or weeds, it includes additional adjuvants in the formulation that make it more toxic and thus easier for plants to take up. These glyphosate formulations have also proven toxic to humans. However, companies don’t have to publicly disclose other proprietary chemicals in these herbicide formulations; therefore, regulators and researchers can’t fully study them to determine their health effects.

Glyphosate was originally patented as a chelator and an antibiotic, which means it binds minerals and interferes with microbial systems. These properties have fueled concern that long-term exposure may disrupt nutrient absorption, alter the gut microbiota, and increase antibiotic resistance. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified glyphosate as a probable carcinogen, and California lists it under Proposition 65 for cancer and reproductive harm.

Because glyphosate is not an intentionally added ingredient, it does not appear on food labels. However, its absence from ingredient panels does not guarantee absence from the product itself. Contamination can occur through agricultural practices, raw material sourcing, manufacturing, transportation, or storage—making independent testing a critical safeguard.

Mamavation Finds Glyphosate in Organic Flour

To evaluate potential exposure, Mamavation sent ten all-purpose organic flours to an EPA-certified laboratory for testing. Samples were analyzed for glyphosate using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) with a detection limit of 10 parts per billion (ppb), the lowest level routinely achievable in standardized commercial testing. While some academic laboratories may reach lower limits, those methods are not widely available or standardized for consumer product screening.

Here are the main findings:

• 90% of organic all-purpose flours did not contain detectable glyphosate. That’s 9 out of 10 organic flours.
• 100% of the organic einkorn flours we tested did not contain detectable glyphosate. That’s 2 out of 2 flours.
• Only one brand had detectable glyphosate at 14 ppb, which is low enough to be reasonably considered as “drift” exposure

Why Is Glyphosate Found In Organic & Conventional Flour?

Glyphosate is a well-documented contaminant found in both conventional and organic flour. In conventional wheat, one major contributor is pre-harvest desiccation.

As explained by The Detox Project, farmers often spray glyphosate on crops late in the season, just before harvest. This application helps dry the plants more quickly and evenly, allowing them to be harvested earlier and reducing the time they spend in the field. While this saves farmers and food companies time and money, it comes at a potential cost to consumers.

Because glyphosate is highly persistent, it remains on the grain and can end up in food products at elevated levels. Our own testing of sourdough breads revealed numerous examples of this contamination.

As for organic food products, they’re significantly less likely to contain glyphosate residue; however, it does happen. It’s assumed that the vast majority of glyphosate contamination would come from pesticide drift from nearby conventional farms.

Comparing bread products tested in the past for glyphosate to sourdough bread products tested presently, you also start to see some differences in levels. More studies are needed on various bread products and their differences to make a stronger claim, but it appears that sourdough bread may be lower in glyphosate than other breads. For instance, two whole-wheat products were found to contain over 1,000 ppb of glyphosate in other studies. We did not find anything so high in our small study on Mamavation. 88% of the sourdough bread products we tested were under 50 ppb.

Because we have consistently found glyphosate in bread, we recommend that, if you want to avoid it, you start baking bread from scratch. This investigation will help you select the organic flour to use.

Other Investigations by Mamavation

Mamavation has conducted additional studies on glyphosate and other contaminants in our food supply. Here are some additional studies you may be interested in for your family:

More Glyphosate Testing

• Cinnamon
• Oat Milk
• Sourdough Bread
• Other Bread, Protein Powder, & Legumes
• Vitamin D3 K2 Supplements
• Women’s Multivitamins
• Childrens Multivitamins

Small Kitchen Appliances

• Water Filters
• Air Fryers & Air Fryer Ovens
• Juicers
• Kitchen Stand Mixers
• Rice Cookers
• Waffle Makers
• Indoor Kitchen Grills & Paninis
• Blenders
• Nut Milk Makers
• Food Processors
• Toasters & Toaster Ovens
• Outdoor Grills & BBQs
• Ice Cream Makers
• Slow Cookers
• Espresso Machines & Mokas
• Electric Kettles

Mamavation’s Investigation of Organic All-Purpose Flour Details

Ten organic all-purpose flour products were mostly donated in May 2026 by community members. Each product was recorded in our database, pictures were taken, and the product was then sent directly to an EPA-certified laboratory in its original packaging. After the results were given, we spent some time analyzing the data to determine where to rank each product.

Product Brands We Tested

To help you make informed decisions about which organic flour products are safest for your home, we sent a range of popular organic all-purpose flour brands to our EPA-certified laboratory for testing. Each product was evaluated for glyphosate contamination. Below is the complete list of brands included in our investigation.

Brands Tested by Mamavation

• 365 Whole Foods Market Organic All-Purpose Flour
• Arrowhead Mills Organic Unbleached All-Purpose Flour Milled from Premium Grade Hard Wheat
• Bob’s Red Mill Unbleached White All-Purpose Organic Flour
• Central Milling Organic All-Purpose Flour “Beehive” Unbleached Malted Flour
• Grand Teton Ancient Grains Certified 100% Organic All-Purpose Einkorn Flour
• Jovial Regeneratively Farmed 100% Organic Einkorn All-Purpose Flour
• King Arthur Baking Company Unbleached All-Purpose Flour Organic
• Kirkland Signature All-Purpose Flour Organic Unbleached Milled from Hard Red Wheat
• Sunrise Flour Mill Heritage White Flour Organic Hard Red Wheat All Purpose Flour
• Trader Joe’s Organic Unbleached All-Purpose Flour

Not Our Favorite Organic All-Purpose Flour

These USDA organic brands had detectable glyphosate via our EPA-certified laboratory.

• Sunrise Flour Mill Heritage White Flour 100% Premium Organic Hard Red Wheat All-Purpose Flour — 14 ppb glyphosate

Better Organic All-Purpose Flour

• No brands were put in this category

Best Organic All-Purpose Flour

These USDA organic brands did not have detectable glyphosate via our EPA-certified laboratory.

USDA Organic Stone-Milled Flour

• Grand Teton Ancient Grains Certified 100% Organic All-Purpose Einkorn Flour — non-detect glyphosate (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 10% off products!) 

USDA Organic Roller-Milled Flour

• 365 Whole Foods Market Organic All-Purpose Flour — non-detect glyphosate
• Arrowhead Mills Organic Unbleached All-Purpose Flour Milled from Premium Grade Hard Wheat — non-detect glyphosate
• Bob’s Red Mill Unbleached White All-Purpose Organic Flour — non-detect glyphosate
• Central Milling Organic All-Purpose Flour “Beehive” Unbleached Malted Flour — non-detect glyphosate
• Jovial Regeneratively Farmed 100% Organic Einkorn All-Purpose Flour — non-detect glyphosate
• King Arthur Baking Company Unbleached All-Purpose Flour Organic — non-detect glyphosate
• Kirkland Signature All-Purpose Flour Organic Unbleached Milled from Hard Red Wheat — non-detect glyphosate
• Trader Joe’s Organic Unbleached All-Purpose Flour —  non-detect glyphosate

The post Organic All-Purpose Flours Tested for Toxic Glyphosate appeared first on MAMAVATION.

Disclosure: This consumer study is released in partnership with Environmental Health News. Scientific reviews were performed by Terrence Collins, Teresa Heinz Professor of Green Chemistry & Director of the Institute for Green Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University. Donations were provided by Environmental Health News and Mamavation community members. Note that Mamavation has only “spot-checked” the industry and thus we cannot make predictions about brands and products that we have not tested. Products and manufacturing aides can change without notice so buyer beware. This post contains affiliate links, with most to Amazon, which means Mamavation will receive a portion of those sales and we will use that to pay ourselves back for the testing. You can also give a tax-deductible donation to our consumer studies here through Environmental Health Sciences. Thank you!  Copyright © 2026 Mamavation — All Rights Reserved

Mamavation Found Arsenic, Lead, & Cadmium in Rice

How much arsenic is in a typical cup of rice? Let’s find out. Previous studies found high levels of arsenic in most rice products, so we created a rice consumer study based on the exact needs of Mamavation community members. Mamavation sent 57 rice & rice noodle products to an EPA-certified laboratory to test for total arsenic, lead, cadmium, & mercury. Because rice is the most significant source of arsenic (other than drinking water) most Americans have daily, we relied on donations from our audience to test exactly what they were already using.

Jasmine rice, basmati rice, brown rice, long-grain rice, parboiled rice, sushi rice, heirloom rice, forbidden rice, & ramen rice noodles were all sent to the laboratory and had various levels of arsenic and other heavy metals present. Here are some of the main findings:

• 98% of rice samples contained detectable total arsenic. That’s 56 out of 57 rice products. And, 100% of Basmati rice had detectable total arsenic.
• Basmati rice arsenic levels ranged from 0.04 ug/g to 0.115 ug/g total arsenic. This can also be described as 40 to 115 parts per billion (ppb).
• The average Basmati rice product contamination was 75 ppb total arsenic; however, the average rice product contamination from the entire rice group was 113 ppb total arsenic.
• Highest Arsenic Products: Mamavation sent two products with over 10 mcg of total arsenic for every 45 mg of rice for more testing of inorganic arsenic. Neither of those products were Basmati rice, but they came back with concerning levels of inorganic arsenic– 175 ppb and 222 ppb total inorganic arsenic. These samples were from China, Heilongjiang Province, and Louisiana.
• Geography of Highest Arsenic: Rice products with the highest total arsenic were from China, Thailand, Louisiana, Texas, & South Carolina.
• Geography of Lowest Arsenic: Rice products with the lowest total arsenic were from California, India, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, & China.

Linda S. Birnbaum, Scientist Emeritus and Former Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and National Toxicology Program & Scholar in Residence at Duke University, Adjunct Professor at the University of North Carolina, & Yale University had this to say after she reviewed this consumer study: “Pay close attention to how much arsenic is in your rice if you are raising young children or are pregnant. Mamavation has made this easy for you to navigate with their rice testing. Overall, this is a big problem for women who are pregnant, feeding small children, and people who consume lots of rice. So if you eat lots of rice, it’s best to opt for safer brands or types of rice lower in arsenic.”

Health-Related Impacts Linked to Overconsumption of Arsenic

Arsenic is a carcinogen that, in chronic exposure, is linked to bladder, lung, and skin cancers. Its most toxic form, inorganic arsenic, is found in the environment and around industrial processes. Early-life exposures to inorganic arsenic in utero are especially dangerous. Here are some additional health-related impacts linked to overconsumption of arsenic.

• Spontaneous abortion & stillbirths
• Increase in preterm births
• Neurodevelopmental disorders
• Behavioral disorders
• Cancer (bladder, lung & skin cancers)
• Skin lesions
• Cardiovascular disease
• Diabetes

For most of the world, exposure to arsenic is through contaminated groundwater. Inorganic arsenic is naturally present at high levels in the groundwater in regions of Argentina, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Chile, China, India, Mexico, Pakistan, the United States of America, and Vietnam.  Acute poisoning results in vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, followed by numbness and tingling of the extremities, muscle cramping, and even death, in extreme cases. Children are especially vulnerable to arsenic, and in such rare cases, they are referred to a medical toxicologist, Poison Control Center, or Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit for possible chelation therapy. You can check to see the arsenic levels in your public water district here through the Environmental Working Group Tapwater Database.

How to Lower Asenic Exposure for Children

If you are pregnant or caring for small children, lowering your exposure to arsenic is important. There are many things you can do, and we would love to help you get started!

• Drinking Water: The official recommendation from health professionals is to consider drinking bottled water in areas with elevated levels of arsenic in drinking water. You can check the water in your area here. Unfortunately, boiling water does not remove arsenic. However, we also worry a bit about exposing children to the microplastics in bottled water, so perhaps the best solution is getting a good water purifier for your home. Finding a good water purifier that can reduce arsenic levels is tricky. Most systems do not filter arsenic well, but we have linked some sound systems that can tackle that below. Here are our three water filter recommendations specifically for handling arsenic in water:
  •  Clearly Filtered 3 Stage Under the Sink Water Filtration System with Affinity Filtration Technology (or you can alternatively use their Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher with Affinity Filtration Technology)  (This link will deduct 10% off purchase.) 
  • AquaSauna SmartFlow Reverse Osmosis (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 10% off purchases!)
  •  AQUA TRU Countertop Water Filtration Reverse Osmosis or Under the Sink model (This link will automatically deduct $100 off a unit for you at checkout.)
• Diet: Generally, varied diets from whole foods are recommended instead of relying on prepackaged rice products.
  • Limit consumption of anything derived from rice, like rice syrups or rice cereals. Check the ingredients in your packaged foods and limit the amount of food consumed that contains rice.
  • Iron-fortified rice cereal is not the best first grain introduced to infants; instead, other options like oats, barley, and multigrain cereals should be introduced. These alternative grains can become a staple among older kids too.
  • Preparing Rice: When preparing rice for children, rinse it before cooking. Cook the rice in plenty of water, similar to how you would cook pasta. The arsenic will pull out of the rice into the water, and you can dump it out. This will lower the total arsenic you are exposed to.
  • Switch from brown rice to white rice. Rice without the hull typically has less arsenic.
• Limit consumption of fruit juices, especially grape and apple. Here are our recommendations for the safest apple juice brands based on a prior study released by Consumer Reports looking at arsenic levels:
  • 365 Everyday Value (Whole Foods) Organic Apple Juice, 100% Juice
  • Juicy Juice Organics 100% Juice, Apple (single juice box)
  • Honest Kids Organic Juice Drink, Goodness Grapeness (single juice box)
  • Simply Balanced (Target) Organic Apple Juice, 100% Juice
• Avoid Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA) when treating wood or decking and opt for safer alternatives. Here are some better options for decking and furniture.
  • Vermont Natural Coatings Bohme’s Terra Plus Exterior Deck Stain
  • Vermont Natural Coatings Penetrating Waterproofer Infused with Juniper
  • Vermont Natural Coatings PolyWhey Exterior Penetrating Stain
  • Rubio Monocoat Hybrid Wood Protector
• Avoid allowing your children to play in dirt around industrial areas, especially locations with smelters, welders, woodworkers, chemical plants, glass manufacturing, and maintenance crews.

Types of Rice — What We Tested

There are two main types of rice: Indica and Japonica. Indica rice, better known as long-grain rice, such as Basmati and Jasmine rice, is long and slim. Japonica rice is a medium to short-grain rice and is stickier, shorter, or rounder. Wild rice is not true rice because it comes from a grass family, but we know you eat it so we won’t be splitting hairs here. Here are the types of rice we tested, broken into categories:

• Basmati Rice — Basmati rice is a long-grained rice with a nutty flavor and aroma. This type of rice becomes very fluffy when cooked and used in South Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines.
• Jasmine Rice — Jasmine rice is another long-grained rice with a floral scent and slightly sweet flavor, native to Southeast Asia. Jasmine rice from Thailand is also known as “Thai Horn Mali”.
• Brown Rice — Brown rice is a whole grain rice containing the rice kernel, including the germ and the endosperm. This rice is higher in fiber. Technically, any other rice that maintains its structure can be a brown rice. Brown rice typically has more arsenic than white rice because of the hull.
• Black “Forbidden” Rice is considered a whole grain because it has retained its bran, germ, and endosperm. It’s very dark in color and not as popular in the US as other rice categories.
• Wild Rice — This rice has more fiber and protein than other rice. The colors can vary.
• Rice Noodles — We included this category as noodles made from rice. Some products are transparent about what type of rice they use, while others are not.
• Parboiled — This rice is partially cooked in the husk, and then the husk is removed. This is also referred to as “easy cook” rice.
• Sushi & Other Short-Grain Rice — This category is a general section where we have to stuff many additional types of rice, like sushi rice and sticky rice.

How Arsenic Finds Its Way Into Rice & Rice Cereals

How does arsenic contaminate rice? The answer to that question is both complicated and straightforward. Rice is the number one source of arsenic for most Americans, but if you eat lots of chicken, mushrooms, or seafood, your arsenic levels may be even higher. Here are the main exposure pathways for arsenic in rice:

• Geographic locations and farming practices in that area can impact the arsenic in rice. For instance, rice from California may have less arsenic than rice from Texas or Louisiana.
• Rice paddies take up more arsenic than other plants, so the naturally present arsenic will increase in rice in a way that doesn’t happen in other plants.
• The local water supply could have higher arsenic levels, and if used for irrigation, it will increase the amounts in rice. Certain areas like Los Angeles, Houston, & Spokane have higher levels of arsenic in the water.
• Legacy Pesticide Use: Rice farms that used to be other types, like cotton or tobacco farms, could already have arsenic contamination in the soil from previous pesticide use.
• Most rice paddy farms are irrigated heavily with water, turning them into mud patches that never dry and, over time, concentrate arsenic.
• Arsenic-containing drugs: Sometimes arsenic-containing drugs and feed additives are fed to chickens to keep them from getting sick, but this also increases arsenic in their feces. This arsenic-filled chicken poop can be used in composting, which can get into the general food supply and can be taken up by plants or eaten by farm animals.

Best Rice Cookers

We’ve been researching the safest cookware and small kitchen appliances for years, so we wanted to share with you the safest rice cookers free from PFAS “forever chemical” coatings. Most rice cookers are coated with PFAS “forever chemicals” or different coatings containing nanoparticles. The safest options for rice cookers are either made from stainless steel, cladding materials, or uncoated ceramic, and can make perfect rice with fluffy textures. The stainless steel inner rice bowl should be safe for the dishwasher, not the entire machine. Not all accessories are approved if they are made of plastic, such as a plastic steamer basket or plastic rice paddle. Most of these machines have a tempered glass lid and a safe heating element, but they can also be placed in warm mode to keep warm. Increasing the water ratio in the rice cooker and later tossing the excess water helps reduce the arsenic in each rice bowl.

• Aroma Housewares Select Stainless Rice Cooker & Warmer
• Aroma Housewares Black Select 6 Cup Stainless Rice Cooker & Warmer
• Aroma Housewares Red Select 6 cup Stainless Rice Cooker & Warmer
• Buffalo Classic Rice Cooker (with Clad Stainless Steel Inner Pot) – 5 Cups
• Buffalo White IH Smart Cooker, Rice Cooker & Warmer 
• Elite Gourmet 6 Cup Rice Cooker
• Tatung Stainless Steel Rice Cooker
• Vita Clay 2-n-1 Chef Rice Cooker (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for $30 off products)
• Vita Clay Smart Organic Rice Cooker (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for $30 off products)(This brand has low levels of lead inside the ceramic. All public migration labs commissioned by brand have been non-detect. However, the amounts of lead found by independent bloggers are below 90 ppm on food contact surfaces, which are considered very low for ceramic. Because the State of California bases exposure of lead on migration testing for small kitchen appliances, this brand does not require a Prop. 65 warning because it doesn’t leach lead over the amounts that are concerning. So can you find lead in there? Yes. Is it leaching in a concerning way? The State of CA would say no.)

Interested in other small kitchen appliances and cookware investigations? Here are some additional studies we have done you may be interested in:

Cookware & Bakeware

• Cookware
• Ceramic Cookware
• Stainless Steel Cookware
• Cupcake & Muffin Pans
• Baking Sheets, Cookie Sheets, and Sheet Pans

Other Kitchen Accessories

• Glass Measuring Cups
• Kitchen Utensils
• Cutting Boards
• Reusable Water Bottles

Small Kitchen Appliances

• Water Filters
• Air Fryers & Air Fryer Ovens
• Juicers
• Kitchen Stand Mixers
• Rice Cookers
• Waffle Makers
• Indoor Kitchen Grills & Paninis
• Blenders
• Nut Milk Makers
• Food Processors
• Toasters & Toaster Ovens
• Outdoor Grills & BBQs
• Ice Cream Makers
• Slow Cookers
• Espresso Machines & Mokas
• Electric Kettles

Food Packaging

• Disposable plates & foodware
• Cupcake Liners
• Plastic Free Disposable Straws
• Sandwich Bags like Ziploc

Serving & Plating

• Dishes & Dishware
• Silverware

Mamavation’s Investigation on Basmati Rice Tested for Arsenic, Lead, Cadmium, & Mercury

To recap, Mamavation sent 57 rice products to an EPA-certified laboratory for testing for arsenic, cadmium, mercury & lead. 98% of rice products had detectable amounts of total arsenic. However, 100% of the rice products contained some detectable heavy metal.

Mamavation accepted rice donations from women across the United States in the following categories: jasmine rice, basmati rice, sushi rice, long grain rice, brown rice, rice noodles, forbidden rice, wild rice, and parboiled rice. After receiving the rice, we recorded the information, took pictures, and sent the products to an EPA-certified laboratory for analysis. Rice that was above 0.22 mcg/g (10 mcg of arsenic per 45-gram serving), was sent back for more inorganic arsenic testing. We then estimated inorganic arsenic in other products by using a summary assessment of inorganic arsenic in rice published in 2024. Based on that study, we estimated that inorganic arsenic accounts for 72.7% of the total arsenic found. We included those estimations with all the products in the raw data below.

We are releasing the raw data in different categories:

• jasmine rice,
• basmati rice,
• long grain rice,
• brown rice,
• rice ramen and rice noodles,
• sushi & short-grain rice
• all rice products together

The final rice-related investigation that will be posted will be a compilation of all rice products together. The raw data released in this investigation will focus on Basmati Rice. We divided the rice products into 3 categories according to contamination levels. These levels reflect the overall levels of heavy metal contamination in each product but do not follow specific government recommendations.

• ug/g = 1 ppm = 1000 ppb
• ug/kg = 1 ppb
• <MRL means less than “maximum residue limit,” which means it can be found, but it’s so small it can’t be quantified.
• ND = non-detect

Terrence Collins, Teresa Heinz Professor of Green Chemistry & Director of the Institute for Green Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University, had this to say after his scientific review of this consumer study.

“Thanks to Mamavation for providing this excellent view into the relative purity with respect to arsenic of spot-checked basmati rice across many brands.  The more moms decide to act through their buying habits based on this guidance, the more rice is likely to become free of arsenic contamination for the protection of families.”

Product Brands We Tested
To help our community make safer choices, Mamavation sent a wide range of popular jasmine rice to our EPA-certified laboratory for heavy metal testing.

Below is the complete list of basmati rice included in our investigation. Sign into MAMAGATE below to view all results.

• Azure Market Organic Brown Basmati Rice Imported
• Azure Market Organic Heirloom Rice Basmati, White
• Azure Market Organic Heirloom Rice Basmati, Brown
• Azure Market Organic White Basmati Rice Imported
• Bowl & Basket Basmati Rice Extra Long Grain
• Lotus Foods Organic White Basmati Rice Regenerative Organic Certified
• Lotus Foods Organic Brown Basmati Rice Regenerative Organic Certified
• Lotus Food Heirloom Kalijira Rice Organic White Quick Cook Rice “Baby Basmati”
• Lundberg Family Farms Organic California Brown Gourmet Rice BASMATI
• Lundberg Family Farms Sustainable California White Basmati Gourmet Rice
• Lundberg Family Farms Organic Sprouted Brown Basmati Gourmet Rice
• Royal Authentic Basmati Rice
• Royal Organic Basmati Rice
• The Fresh Market Organic Basmati Long Grain Rice
• Trader Joe’s Organic Basmati Rice

The post Basmati Rice Tested for Toxic Arsenic & Lead — Guide (DUPLICATE) appeared first on MAMAVATION.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links to Amazon and was medically reviewed by Rebecca Elizabeth Sherrick Harks, Registered Nurse. 

The Deodorants We Grew Up With Were Kinda Toxic

Let’s just get through this real quick. Years ago, most deodorants were full of toxic & hormone-disrupting chemicals. If your preference is to avoid this cancerous mess, nontoxic deodorant options are available. The good news is they are getting sophisticated, smell good, and actually work (provided you do the armpit detox to get the gunk out of your pits first!) and are paraben-free.

Chemicals within products that can disrupt hormones are suspect when considering the cocktails building in bodies over time. These hormone-disrupting chemicals building up within our bodies are linked to various conditions such as obesity, diabetes, infertility, hyperactivity & behavioral problems in children, reduction in IQ, loss of memory, organ failure, and then, of course, cancer. More on this soon!

The Cosmetic Industry Polices Itself. That’s Bad For Consumers Wanting to Avoid Breast Cancer.

Body-care products seem to be more and more dangerous, especially for women, and that’s unfortunate because It’s estimated that 1 in 3 women will get cancer within their lifetimes, breast cancer being the most prevalent. Globally, breast cancer affects more women than any other type of cancer and is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women.

One thing of note about the cosmetic industry in the United States is that it’s willfully flawed and downright dangerous at times. Ingredients inside products on the shelves are not independently tested nor are they evaluated by the FDA for safety before they are sold. And that’s because the cosmetic industry effectively polices itself. They determine what chemicals are safe and which are not, leaving us dangerously behind Europe in terms of safety.

To put things into perspective, Europe has restricted or banned 1,328 ingredients in cosmetics and the United States has banned and restricted approximately 30+–most recently to restrict the number of plastic microbeads and triclosan within our water supply. But 30 compared to 1,328? That’s a huge discrepancy that underscores the danger inherent in the American cosmetic industry.

So why do we need to watch out for deodorants? Well, basically they can be a clusterf*ck of chemicals that disrupt hormones. We get it, no one wants to deal with BO and the idea of a natural deodorant can cause some to literally turn up their noses. But it’s still important to find a safer deodorant that works for you in order to reduce your toxic load.

So if natural deodorant doesn’t work on you, do an armpit cleanse and get on with it. When you do an armpit cleanse, you’ll be shocked by how natural deodorant works afterward.

So What Stinks About Deodorant? Nasty Ingredients to Avoid

Most deodorants are a chemical concoction of unholy body burden. In other words, there are a ton of problematic chemicals inside that are linked with a chronic disease you would rather avoid. So let’s get down to brass tacks. Deodorant fights odor by killing bacteria and providing a covering scent while antiperspirants use an aluminum compound to stop up sweat glands temporarily. The controversial gland-plugger aluminum has constantly been under attack for breast cancer and other risks but it is of concern, especially to those with kidney disease since the aluminum is cleaned out through the kidneys.

• Parabens: Another problematic ingredient inside deodorant is parabens. Parabens are those sneaky little ingredients linked to cancer, and developmental and reproductive toxicity. In fact, they are typically found inside breast cancer tumors. Parabens are used in cosmetics to prevent mold, yeast, and odor-causing bacteria from forming. And they are used in cosmetics to give the product a longer shelf life. Are there alternatives? Yes. But parabens are cheaper to use and allow the product to stay on the shelves for years and years and years…until it’s sold. So this is why cosmetic companies use them.

Paraben Ingredients Hide as: Methylparaben, propylparaben, methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate and propyl 4-hydroxylbenzoate

• Triclosan: Triclosan is another very common ingredient that has been banned for use in other personal care products in the United States. But for some reason, the Feds didn’t ban triclosan from things like deodorant or toothpaste. Triclosan is an antimicrobial agent that is added to products to prevent bacterial and fungal growth. Its chemical structure is very similar to thyroid hormones but the frightful part is It’s been linked to decreasing levels of thyroid hormones. It’s also been linked to making antibiotics ineffective by spreading and encouraging the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Over millions are infected and over 23,000 people die each year in the United States from antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections that are not treatable with antibiotics. And it’s also causing skin cancer during animal testing. So it would not be beneficial to put on a product that contains triclosan and then expose your skin to ultraviolet rays.

Triclosan Ingredients Hide as: Triclosan & triclocarbon. But anytime you see the words “antibacterial” or “antimicrobial” make sure to look at the ingredient label. If you see alcohol as the active ingredient instead, that’s okay.

• Phthalates: Phthalates are another class of ingredient that is also hormone-disrupting and found in most conventional deodorants. And when I say hormone-disrupting, I’m meaning links to things like obesity, hyperactivity in children, and the kicker is infertility in men by degrading sperm quality. In fact, phthalates are so problematic to male fertility, they are being restricted in places like China. Phthalates, although worse for men, is also problematic to women.

Phthalates Hide as: “Fragrance,” “perfume” or “parfum”

Shortlist of Ingredients in Deodorant to Avoid Like the Plague

This list includes endocrine disruptors, undeclared chemicals, possible and known carcinogens, petroleum-derived synthetic colors, antifreeze agents, and ingredients declared unsafe by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) but not by the FDA. Funny how that happens…

• Propylene glycol
• Triclosan (or triclocarban)
• Aluminum
• Parabens
• Formaldehyde releasers like quaternium-15, DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea, polyoxymethylene urea, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol (bromopol) and glyoxal
• Fragrance (can contain any of thousands of chemicals and ingredients are not listed individually)
• Triethanolamine and diethanolamine (TEA and DEA)
• Talc (can contain asbestos)
• Petroleum
• Isobutane
• FD & C colors (dyes)
• Zinc oxide (nano-based)

Solutions: What To Do If Natural Deodorant Brands Don’t Work On You

When you pick natural deodorant and find that it doesn’t work on you, don’t fret! Consider an armpit cleanse to clear out the pores under your arms and release build-up and toxins. (Mamavation’s armpit cleanse is one of our most popular posts!)

Then after all of the sweat-clogging gunk is out of your body, check out an aluminum-free deodorant from the better or best category for healthy protection from body odor.  Look for ingredients like baking soda, arrowroot powder, tapioca starch, magnesium hydroxide, mineral salts, coconut oil, and essential oils like sage oil or tea tree oil.

If you find that you are sensitive to baking soda, red spots or irritation may develop on your armpits. Don’t worry, just pick up another type that doesn’t have baking soda. Once you stop using it, those spots should go away.

Featured Deodorant: Primally Pure Deodorant

Primally Pure has been one of my favorite deodorants for many years now. The ingredients are pure, simple, and effective yet have major odor protection. It’s the kind of deodorant that can carry me into the next day if I forget to put it on in the morning too. (It does contain some baking soda, so if baking soda causes you skin irritations, there are plenty of the other deodorants we have recommended that do not contain baking soda inside our investigation.)

This is what I mean by simple ingredients. Primally Pure Lavender Deodorant Ingredients: Organic Arrowroot Powder, Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, Tallow from Grass-Fed Cows, Organic Beeswax, Baking Soda, Non-nano Zinc Oxide, White Kaolin Clay, Organic Lavender Essential Oil

If you would like to try Primally Pure, they are offering Mamavation community members 10% off by using coupon code “MAMAVATION” at checkout. Discover all the different Primally Pure Deodorants and here they are linked individually below.

• Primally Pure Blue Tansy Deodorant (links to small biz, not Amazon, use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 10% off)
• Primally Pure Charcoal Deodorant (links to small biz, not Amazon, use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 10% off)
• Primally Pure Geranium Deodorant (links to small biz, not Amazon, use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 10% off)
• Primally Pure Lavender Deodorant (links to small biz, not Amazon, use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 10% off)
• Primally Pure Lemongrass Deodorant (links to small biz, not Amazon, use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 10% off)
• Primally Pure Tea Tree Deodorant (links to small biz, not Amazon, use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 10% off)
• Primally Pure Unscented Deodorant (links to small biz, not Amazon, use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 10% off)

Not Our Favorite Deodorants

These have high amounts of chemical fragrances, possible carcinogens, aluminum, petroleum, polyethylene glycol compounds (PEGs), and allergenic ingredients that will affect sensitive skin. Mamavation doesn’t recommend brands from this list, but please note that as we have updated this post over the years brands and products have shifted around due to changing their ingredients.

• Alvera All Natural Roll-on Deodorant Aloe and Almonds
• Arbonne Deodorant #4112
• Arm & Hammer Essentials Unscented
• Arrid
• Attitude Leaves bar Deodorant Herbal Musk (Mamavation’s independent testing found indications of PFAS inside one product made by this brand. Read more here.)
• Axe
• Ban Purely Gentle Roll-On Unscented Deodorant
• Ban Unscented Solid Deodorant
• Bee Maternal Clean Bergamot Deodorant
• Corpus Three Roses
• Degree Dial Anti-Perspirant Deodorant, Crystal Breeze
• Deonat Mineral Deodorant Roll-On (Natural, Aloe, or Papaya)
• Deonat Mineral Deodorant Spray (Natural, Aloe, or Papaya)
• Doterra Natural Deodorant Infused with Doterra Balance Grounding Blend Essential Oil (Mamavation’s independent testing found indication of PFAS “forever chemicals” inside one product made by this brand. Read more about it here.)
• Dove
• Dove Men
• Dr. Teals Aluminum Free Deodorant (Mamavation’s independent testing found indication of PFAS “forever chemicals” inside one product made by this brand. Read more about it here.)
• Each & Every Citrus & Vetiver Aluminum Free Deodorant (Mamavation’s independent testing found indication of PFAS inside one product made by this brand. Read more here.)
• Each & Every Unscented & Fragrance-Free Deodorant (Mamavation’s independent testing found indications of PFAS inside one product made by this brand. Read more here.)
• Equate Beauty Deodorant, Aluminum-free, Lavender
• Gillette
• Godesana Clay & Tea Tree Clean Safe Deodorant (Mamavation’s independent testing found indications of PFAS inside one product made by this brand. Read more here.)
• Harry’s Odor Control Deodorant Stone
• hello® clean + fresh deodorant with charcoal (Mamavation’s independent testing found indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” inside one product made by this brand. Read more here.)
• hello® fragrance-free deodorant with shea butter (Mamavation’s independent testing found indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” inside one product made by this brand. Read more here.)
• Hey Humans Lavender Vanilla Deodorant (Mamavation’s independent testing found indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” inside one product made by this brand. Read more here.)
• Humble Brands Essential Lavender Deodorant (Mamavation’s independent testing found indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” inside one product made by this brand. Read more here.)
• Just Ingredients Eucalyptus Mint Magnesium Deodorant (Mamavation’s independent testing found indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” inside one product made by this brand. Read more here.)
• Kiss My Face Active Life Fragrance-Free Stick Deodorant
• Kiss My Face Sport Stick Deodorant
• Kopari Fragrance-Free Deodorant
• Kopari Deodorant Beach Scent (Mamavation’s independent testing found indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” inside one product made by this brand. Read more here.)
• Lady Speed Stick
• Lume Lavender Sage (Mamavation’s independent testing found indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” inside a product made by this brand. Read more here.)
• Lume Scented Deodorant Tube (Mamavation’s independent testing found indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” inside a product made by this brand. Read more here.)
• Lume Unscented Deodorant Stick (Mamavation’s independent testing found indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” inside a product made by this brand. Read more here.)
• Magsol Magnesium Deodorant Smooth Glide Format Jasmine 100% Natural Deodorant (Mamavation’s independent testing found indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” inside a product made by this brand. Read more here.)
• Melaleuca Sheer Confidence Antiperspirant & Deodorant perfect powder
• milk + honey Baking Soda-free Deodorant Lavender Tea Tree (Mamavation’s independent testing found indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” inside a product made by this brand. Read more here.)
• Mitchum Clinical Powder Fresh Solid
• Mitchum Unscented Gel
• Modere Deodorant
• Myro
• Right Guard
• Rustic Maka Naughty Butter Natural Fragrance-Free (Mamavation’s independent testing found indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” inside a product made by this brand. Read more here.)
• Oars and Alps Natural Deodorant
• Old Spice
• Pittie Pop Midnight Vanilla Raw Honey Magnesium Zinc Argan Oil Vitamin E Deodorant (Mamavation’s independent testing found indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” inside a product made by this brand. Read more here.)
• Rustic Maka Fresh Active Luna Bliss Natural Deodorant (Mamavation’s independent testing found indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” inside a product made by this brand. Read more here.)
• Salt & Stone Eucalyptus Sensitive Skin
• Secret Lavender 48 HR Invisible solid Antiperspirant (Mamavation’s independent testing found indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” inside a product made by this brand. Read more here.)
• Secret Clinical Strength Clear Gel Deodorant
• Soft & Dri
• Suave
• Teen Spirit
• Tom’s Of Maine Creamy Coconut Plastic Free Deodorant
• Tom’s of Maine Original Care Deodorant Unscented
• Zebra The Deodorant Wild Lavender Lemon (Mamavation’s independent testing found indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” inside a product made by this brand. Read more here.)

Better Deodorants

This section is lightyears better than the “not our favorite” category, but it still has some issues. These brands may have some of the following issues: undisclosed “natural” fragrances, undisclosed probiotic strains, too many preservatives, nano-based zinc oxide, or just too much junk. Lots of brands have shifted around since our last update and some may have products in different categories. Note: may need to do an armpit cleanse if they do not work for you.

• Alaffia Neem Turmeric Charcoal Deodorant, Lemongrass
• Biotherm Dio
• Bravo Sierra Unscented Aluminum Free & Baking Soda Free
• Cleo + Coco Blue Tansy Charcoal Deodorant Baking Soda Free
• Element Botanicals Deodorant
• Essential Oil Wizardy Shower In A Bottle Spray (Trinity scent)
• Farmacy Freshen Up All-Natural Deodorant Stick with Moringa & Papaya
• Herban Cowboy Maximum Protection Deodorant Wild
• Herban Cowboy For Her Powder
• Herban Cowboy Dry Spray Deodorant Dusk
• Humankind Refillable Deodorant Lavender Citrus
• Jason’s Naturals Soothing Aloe Vera Deodorant Stick
• JK Naturals Natural Deodorant Cream Clary Sage & Lemon
• Kiss My Face Liquid Rock Deodorant Mineral Roll-On Fragrance-Free
• Lavanila The Healthy Deodorant Vanilla Coconut
• Miessence Magnesium Milk Ultrasensitive Roll-On Deodorant
• Mindful Minerals Pitstop Deodorant
• Native Deodorant
• Nubian Heritage 24 hour All-natural Deodorant African Black Soap
• Nuud Vegan Anti-Odorant
• Pacha Palo Santo Deodorant
• Pacifica Sandalwood Incense Clean Deodorant
• Raw Sugar Deodorant
• Rustic Maka Luna Bliss Charcoal + Magnesium Deodorant
• Rustic Maka Wind of Change SoothingCare Sensitive Deodorant
• Salt & Stone Lavender & Sage Formula No 1
• Schmidt’s Patchouli + Hops Sensitive Stick (NO baking soda)
• Starling Charcoal Extra Strength | Aluminum Free Deodorant
• Starling Max Sensitive | Aluminum Free Deodorant | No Baking Soda
• Starling Pink Rose| Aluminum Free Deodorant
• Stinkbug Amber Sage Charcoal Baking Soda Free Deodorant
• Weleda Sage 12 Hr Deodorant Spray
• Young Living AromaGuard® Meadow Mist
• Young Living CitraGuard® Deodorant

Best Deodorants

These contain mostly simple ingredients, antibacterials like coconut oil, baking soda, and/or and salts to control odor, essential oils, and more. These products use 100% fragrance transparency and do not rely heavily on preservatives. Lots of brands have shifted around since our last update and some may have products in different categories. Note: may need to do an armpit cleanse if they do not work on you.

• Acure Charcoal Magnesium Deodorant
• Acure Fragrance-Free Deodorant
• Alpine Provisions Lavender + Juniper Magnesium Deodorant
• Alpine Provisions Vetiver & Sage Magnesium Deodorant
• American Provenance Daggers & Diamonds (Rose, Bergamot, Jasmine) Deodorant
• American Provenance Sensitive Skin Unscented Deodorant
• Attitude Oatmeal Sensitive Natural Baking Soda Free (Use discount code “MAMAVATION for 20% off for first-time customers.) (Mamavation independently verified that this brand does not have indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” though out independent testing here.) 
• Bellamia Naturally Pleasant Pits Deodorant
• BeNat Baking Soda Free Zero Waste Deodorant
• BeNat Lavender & Geranium Zero Waste Deodorant
• BeNat Vegan Natural Deodorant Cream Tea Tree & Rosemary
• Bella Organics Deodorant Stick Lavender Vanilla
• Bella Organics Deodorant Cream Orange & Spice
• Bello Tallow Lux Blu Deodorant (Use discount code “mamavation” for 10% off products!) (Mamavation independently verified that this brand does not have indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” though out independent testing here.) 
• Bello Tallow Unscented Deodorant (Use discount code “mamavation” for 10% off products!) (Mamavation independently verified that this brand does not have indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” though out independent testing here.) 
• Bello Tallow Peppermint & Lemongrass Deodorant (Use discount code “mamavation” for 10% off products!) (Mamavation independently verified that this brand does not have indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” though out independent testing here.) 
• Blume Hug Me Unscented Aluminum Free Deodorant
• Booda Organics Budda Butter Deodorant Cream
• Bubble & Bee Geranium Lime Pit Putty Organic Deodorant WITH Baking Soda
• Bubble & Bee Geranium Lime Pit Putty Organic Deodorant (NO Baking Soda)
• Bubble & Bee Lemon & Clove Pit Putty Organic Deodorant (NO Baking Soda)
• Bubble & Bee Truly Herbal Organic Deodorant Spray (NO Baking Soda)
• Bubble & Bee Pit Buddy Sensitive Skin Deodorant Cream Lavender Vanilla
• Chagrin Valley Citrus Blossom Coconut Cream Deodorant
• Chagrain Valley Coconut Stick Deodorant Natural Scent
• Chagrin Valley Lemongrass Tea Clay Silk Deodorant
• Crunchy Betty Kokomo Cream Natural Deodorant
• Deonat Mineral Deodorant Stick
• Desert Essence Lemon Tree Deodorant 
• Earthley Wellness Mineral Deodorant (baking soda free) (Automatic discount applied if using this link)(Mamavation independently verified that this brand does not have indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” though our independent testing here.) 
• EO Organic Lavender Deodorant Lavender Spray
• Era Organics Lemon Rosemary Deodorant
• Erbaviva Organic Deodorant Lemon Sage Spray
• Explore Naturals Aluminum Free Deodorant Sea Sage
• Fat And The Moon Deodorant Cream
• Fat And The Moon Sensitive Pit Cream
• Fatco Stank Stop Deodorant Lavender + Clary Sage
• Green Tidings Natural Lavender Deodorant
• Hammond Herbs Pit Stop Deodorant Tea Tree & Lavender
• Hammond Herbs Pit Stop Deodorant Unscented
• Honestly Phresh Sugar Mint Deodorant
• Indie Lee Energize Deodorant
• Jason’s Naturals Soothing Fresh Cucumber Dry Spray Deodorant
• JK Naturals Blood Orange Lavender, & Geranium Roll-On
• JK Naturals Blood Orange Lavender, & Geranium Roll-On
• Kaia Naturals Takesumi Detox Deodorant in Black Oak and Bourbon
• Kosasport Fragrance Free Deodorant
• Kosasport Serene Clean Deodorant
• Lemongrass Spa Natural Grapefruit Bergamot Natural Deodorant Stick
• Lauricidin Natural Deodorant Essential Orange (Mamavation independently verified that this brand does not have indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” though our independent testing here.) 
• Live Clean Fragrance-Free Deodorant
• Meow Meow Tweet Baking Soda Free Deodorant Cream (lavender)
• Meow Meow Tweet Baking Soda Free Deodorant Stick (grapefruit)
• Meow Meow Tweet Deodorant Cream (lavender/WITH baking soda)
• Meow Meow Tweet Unscented Baking Soda Free Deodorant Cream
• Miessence Tahitian Breeze Roll-On Deodorant
• Nala Sandalwood & Bergamot Deodorant
• MoM Milk Of Magnesia Deodorant
• Mother Dirt Probiotic Deodorant with Lemongrass
• Neal’s Yard Remedies Lavender & Aloe Vera Deodorant Spray
• Noniko Lavender/Ylang Deodorant
• Noniko Sensitive Formula Unscented Deodorant
• No Pong Bicarb Free Low Fragrance Deodorant
• No Pong Fragrance-Free Deodorant
• No Pong All-Natural Original Vegan Deodorant
• Nyr Organic Roll-On Deodorant Rose & Geranium Deodorant
• OM Botanical Hops & Magnesium Deodorant (Mamavation independently verified that this brand does not have indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” though our independent testing here.) 
• ORGANIC 101 Lemon Haze Deodorant
• Organic Island Baking Soda Free Compostable Organic Deodorant
• Organic Island Extra Strength Compostable Organic Deodorant
• Organic Island Original Compostable Organic Deodorant
• Organic Jaguar Natural Vanilla Rose Deodorant Baking Soda & Aluminum Free (Mamavation independently verified that this brand does not have indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” though our independent testing here.) 
• PAPR Sensitive Deodorant Bare Naked Fragrance-Free
• PAPR Deodorant Bright Shiny Morning Grapefruit
• Piper Wai Activated Charcoal Natural Deodorant Cream
• Piper Wai Scentless Natural Deodorant Stick
• Pit Liquor Deodorant (Spray or roll-on)
• Poofy Happy Pits Deodorant Spray
• Poofy MAX DEO Peppymint Tea Organic
• Poofy MAX DEO Plain Jane Unscented Organic
• Pretty Frank Baking Soda Free Lavender (stick) Deodorant
• Pretty Frank Baking Soda Free Unscented (stick) Deodorant
• Pretty Frank Natural Deodorant Jar Lavender
• Pretty Frank Baking Soda Free Jar Deodorant
• Primal Life Organics Stick Up Natural Deodorant Black Lavender
• Primal Life Organics Stick Up Natural Deodorant Vanilla Matcha
• Primally Pure Blue Tansy Deodorant (links to small biz, not Amazon, use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 10% off) (Mamavation independently verified that this brand does not have indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” though our independent testing here.) 
• Primally Pure Charcoal Deodorant (links to small biz, not Amazon, use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 10% off) (Mamavation independently verified that this brand does not have indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” though our independent testing here.) 
• Primally Pure Geranium Deodorant (links to small biz, not Amazon, use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 10% off) (Mamavation independently verified that this brand does not have indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” via our independent testing here.) 
• Primally Pure Lavender Deodorant (links to small biz, not Amazon, use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 10% off) (Mamavation independently verified that this brand does not have indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” via our independent testing here.) 
• Primally Pure Lemongrass Deodorant (links to small biz, not Amazon, use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 10% off) (Mamavation independently verified that this brand does not have indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” via our independent testing here.) 
• Primally Pure Tea Tree Deodorant (links to small biz, not Amazon, use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 10% off) (Mamavation independently verified that this brand does not have indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” via our independent testing here.) 
• Primally Pure Unscented Deodorant (links to small biz, not Amazon, use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 10% off) (Mamavation independently verified that this brand does not have indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” via our independent testing here.) 
• Pronounce Lavender Deodorant
• Public Goods Crystal Deodorant Spray
• Pure Haven Non-Baking Soda Coconut Peppermint Tea Tree Deodorant (15% off your first order promo code is “PURE15”)(Mamavation independently verified that this brand does not have indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” via our independent testing here. 
• Pure Haven Baking Soda Coconut Peppermint Tea Tree Deodorant (15% off your first order promo code is “PURE15”) (Mamavation independently verified that this brand does not have indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” via our independent testing here. 
• Pure Haven Deodorant Baking Soda
• Pure Haven Deodorant Non-Baking Soda
• Purelygreat Charcoal Cream Deodorant Lavender
• Purelygreat Cream Deodorant Unscented
• Real Purity Roll-On Deodorant
• Routine Cat Lady Vegan Deodorant Jar
• Routine Like A Boss Deodorant Jar
• Routine The Curator Baking Soda Free
• Rowe Casa Organics All Natural Deodorant Unscented (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 10% off products!)(Mamavation independently verified that this brand does not have indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” via our independent testing here.)
• Schmidt’s Bergamot + Lime Deodorant Jar
• Schmidt’s Lavender & Sage Deodorant Stick (with baking soda)
• Schmidt’s Sensitive Skin Deodorant Stick Fragrance-Free (NO baking soda)
• Scully’s Deodormint Spray
• Skylar Refreshing Deodorant with Green Tree Capri Scent
• SmartyPits Super Strength Lavender Bergamot (WITH baking soda) PLASTIC FREE Package
• SmartyPits Sensitive Skin Grapefruit Cardamon (NO baking soda) PLASTIC FREE package
• SmartyPits Sensitive Skin Formula Lavender Rose (NO baking soda)
• SmartyPits Sensitive Skin Formula Unscented (NO baking soda)
• Soapwalla Deodorant Creme Original
• Soapwalla Deodorant Creme Sensitive (baking soda free)
• Starling Sensitive | Aluminum Free Deodorant | No Baking Soda | Unscented
• Stinkbug Lavender Cream Deodorant
• Stinkbug Unscented Deodorant
• Tandem Deodorant Lavender + Coconut
• Tandem Deodorant Unscented
• Taylor’s Elevated Pits Super Sensitive All Natural Deodorant
• Thesis Deodorant Essential Spray
• Thinksport Aloe & Tea Flowers Natural Deodorant (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 20% off the entire site!) 
• Thinksport Bergamont Cedarwood Natural Deodorant (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 20% off the entire site!) 
• Thinksport Currant & Grapefruit Natural Deodorant (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 20% off the entire site!) 
• Thinksport Chamomile & Citrus Natural Deodorant (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 20% off the entire site!) 
• Think Magnesium Lavender & Rose Natural Deodorant (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 20% off the entire site!) 
• Think Magnesium Coconut & Pineapple Natural Deodorant (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 20% off the entire site!) 
• Think Magnesium Deodorant Charcoal & Sage (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 20% off the entire site!) 
• Think Natural Unscented Deodorant (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 20% off the entire site!) 
• Toups & Co. Organics Extra Strength Natural Deodorant Lime & Bergamot (Use this link for 15% off products)(Mamavation independently verified that this brand does not have indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” via our independent testing here.)
• Ursa Major Hoppin’ Fresh Stick Deodorant
• Ursa Major Sublime Sage Spray Deodorant
• Zion Health ClayDry Silk Vegan Deodorant Original
• Zion Health ClayDry Bold Fragrance-Free Deodorant
• Zion Health ClayDry Roll-On Deodorant Lavender

Want More? Pick Up a Copy of Green Enough

If you pick up a copy of Green Enough: Eat Better, Live Cleaner, Be Healthier (All Without Driving Your Family Crazy!), I’ll take you through all the challenges in personal care products to be aware of when shopping for your family.

If you would like to try my special deodorant recipe, it’s inside the book! It only has 4 ingredients and will keep you smelling fresh all day provided you do an armpit cleanse to unclog your armpit pores.

But don’t miss out! Sign up for our FREE newsletter here and you’ll never miss another investigation of brands and products ever again.

The post Best Non-Toxic Natural Deodorants Sans Nasty Chemicals appeared first on MAMAVATION.

Disclosure: This consumer study is released in partnership with Environmental Health News. Scientific reviews were performed by (1) Terrence Collins, Teresa Heinz Professor of Green Chemistry & Director of the Institute for Green Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University, (2) Linda S. Birnbaum, Scientist Emeritus and Former Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and National Toxicology Program & Scholar in Residence at Duke University, Adjunct Professor at the University of North Carolina, & Yale University, & (3) Scott Belcher, Associate Professor with the Center for Environmental & Health Effects of PFAS at North Carolina State University. This post was medically reviewed by Sondra Strand, RN, BSN, PHN. Donations were provided by Environmental Health News and Mamavation community members. Note that Mamavation has only “spot-checked” the industry and thus we cannot make predictions about brands and products that we have not tested. Products and manufacturing aides can change without notice so buyer beware. This post contains affiliate links, with some to Amazon, which means Mamavation will receive a portion of those sales and we will use that to pay ourselves back for the testing. You can also give a tax-deductible donation to our consumer studies here through Environmental Health Sciences. Thank you!  [Additional labs were added in 2024 and 2025]

Mamavation’s Lab Finds Indications of PFAS “Forever Chemicals” In Deodorants

Mamavation’s EPA-certified laboratory found indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” after analyzing 15 popular deodorants. PFAS is found in many other areas of our homes with some examples being cookware, makeup, drinking water, contact lenses & dental floss. These chemicals are linked to serious health effects, which we will discuss later. Because PFAS are so toxic, Mamavation has commissioned our own scientific studies on indications of PFAS in products to make recommendations for deodorants using PFAS-free materials. Read Mamavation’s articles on these products to find which brands are organic-fluorine-free.

For this consumer study, Mamavation sent 15 deodorants from 14 brands to an EPA-certified laboratory looking for indications of toxic PFAS “forever chemicals.”  Here’s what we found:

• 40% of total deodorants tested had indications of PFAS “forever chemicals.” 6 detections from 15 deodorants had organic fluorine above 10 parts per million (ppm) according to our lab,
• Ranges of organic fluorine, a marker of PFAS, were from 11 ppm to 32 ppm. 
• Both “natural” and conventional deodorants had some issues, however, we believe these levels are unintentional contamination.
• (Please note this investigation has been updated with additional lab results since this consumer study was originally posted to give our audience more variety, but we have not changed anything else. Therefore, this will not be reflected in the talking points above. Please note that updated highest amount of organic fluorine is now 103 ppm.)

Linda Birnbaum, Scientist Emeritus and Former Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and National Toxicology Program & Scholar in Residence at Duke University, and Adjunct Professor at both University of North Carolina, & Yale University had this to say: “Because deodorants are applied every day to our bodies, it’s imperative the deodorant industry needs to find this contamination and address it immediately to ensure that women (& men) are no longer exposed when using their deodorants.”

PFAS “Forever Chemicals” Have Problematic Health Effects

PFAS “forever chemicals” are problematic for human health and the environment. They are considered ubiquitous, persistent, and toxic. In fact, many of these PFAS chemicals can last for years or decades in our bodies. The health effects from exposure to PFAS on the armpit areas right next to breast tissue are unknown. It’s also unknown what happens when it is absorbed into our tissues and travels around in our bodies. However, we do know that these areas can be vulnerable to toxic chemicals like PFAS “forever chemicals” because of the proximity to breast tissue and the lymphatic system. Therefore, it’s imperative to reduce the amount of PFAS you are exposed to from food, water, and consumer products like deodorant. Mamavation is dedicated to helping you do that when you are shopping for deodorant.

Here are some of the health effects of different PFAS “forever chemicals:”

• Reduction in immunity
• Reduced vaccination response
• Increased risk of allergies & asthma in young children
• Affected growth, learning, and behavior of infants and older children
• Increase cholesterol levels
• Metabolic diseases like obesity & diabetes
• Cardiovascular disease
• Lowered a woman’s chance of getting pregnant
• Lowered male fertility
• Increased risk of kidney & testicular cancers
• Causes endocrine disruption
• Disrupted normal thyroid function
• Increases risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children 

It’s also very clear based on biomonitoring evidence from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) that PFAS are in all Americans. Therefore, these exposures can harm most Americans.

Terrence Collins, Teresa Heinz Professor of Green Chemistry & Director of the Institute for Green Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University said,  “Can we learn to put the seductive technical and cost performances of PFAS compounds into a perspective that appropriately accounts for the horrible health, environmental and fairness performances? The answer, simply put, is “Yes!” In 2021, Maine became the first state to enact a PFAS ban in all products (by 2030), unless the use is deemed “currently unavoidable”. Hopefully more states and the entire Union will follow suit. In the meantime, each deodorant company could protect its customers by investing in finding out how much PFAS is in their products and disclosing this on their product labels. They should look well below the 10 parts per million limit that Mamavation can afford. Some PFAS compounds are endocrine disruptors. Wherever endocrine disruption operates, serious toxicity can be elicited at parts per trillion or at even lower doses.”

Additional Key Ingredients in Deodorants You’ll Also Want to Avoid

Many deodorants claim to be formulated by board-certified dermatologists or other types of doctors for the best odor protection, but how can ingredients that interact with hormones be recommended? Should you trade body odor for endocrine disruption, especially around tissue that is very close to your breasts? Many conventional deodorants or roll-on deodorants, contain a formula with ingredients that can be problematic to human health. So what types of chemicals should you avoid in deodorants? Here are some of the most problematic.

• Parabens: Parabens are those sneaky little ingredients linked to cancer, and developmental and reproductive toxicity. In fact, they are typically found inside breast cancer tumors. Parabens are used in cosmetics to prevent mold, yeast, and odor-causing bacteria from forming. And they are used in cosmetics to give the product a longer shelf life. Are there alternatives? Yes. But parabens are cheaper to use and allow the product to stay on the shelves for years and years and years…until it’s sold. So this is why cosmetic companies use them and why we do investigations on shampoo and conditioner brands to avoid.
• Formaldehyde Releasers: These ingredients are known to release formaldehyde in trace amounts. Formaldehyde is a known human carcinogen.
• Undisclosed fragrance (can contain any of thousands of chemicals and ingredients are not listed individually): “Fragrance” or scents are either made from petroleum (synthetic fragrances) or botanical raw materials (natural fragrance) or both. It can also contain ingredients like solvents, stabilizers, UV absorbers, preservatives, phthalates, and dyes. These types of chemicals vary in toxicity. But there is lots of mystery surrounding “fragrance” in personal care products. Companies that make perfume buy chemicals from other companies called “fragrance houses.” This means it is possible for a brand to not even know the fragrance chemicals inside their own product. However, as companies and states are moving toward fragrance ingredient disclosure, this is slowly starting to change. (You can make a difference here by only purchasing from brands that are doing 100% ingredient disclosure to help!) The biggest problem is the mystery because no one has any idea what is inside the word “fragrance.”
• Aluminum salts: Some concerns have been raised about aluminum salts that are concerning. However, more studies need to be done to link them directly to health effects like breast cancer or Alzheimer’s.
• Phthalates: Phthalates are another class of ingredient that is also hormone-disrupting and found in most conventional deodorants. And when I say hormone-disrupting, I’m meaning links to things like obesity, hyperactivity in children, and the kicker is infertility in men by degrading sperm quality. In fact, phthalates are so problematic to male fertility, they are being restricted in places like China. Phthalates, although worse for men, are also problematic to women.
• Propylene glycol (PEGs): According to the Center for Disease Control “Propylene glycol breaks down in the body in about 48 hours. However, studies of people and animals show that if you have repeated eye, skin, nasal, or oral exposures to propylene glycol for a short time, you may develop some irritation.” This chemicals is considered “generally recognized as safe” or GRAS by the Food & Drug Administration, yet is not recommended as a precaution because of how irritating it can become and how often people are allergic to it.
• Cyclopentasiloxane: This is a silicon-based cyclic compound that may be associated with environmental toxicity.
• BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole ) & BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene): These ingredients are known hormone disruptors that are linked to liver damage. They are another example of harsh preservatives.
• Ethoxylated Ingredients — Ethoxylated ingredients are generally of low concern on their own. However, they can be contaminated with ethylene oxide, a known carcinogen, and 1,4-dioxane, reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen. They may also be linked to organ toxicity and reproduction toxicity.

Solutions: What To Do If Natural Deodorant Brands Don’t Work On You

When you pick a more “natural” deodorant without petroleum-based ingredients and find that it doesn’t work on you, don’t fret! There are things you can do to train your underarms to respond better to natural deodorant. You may not be able to control how much you sweat or moisture that comes from your sweat glands, but you can cut down on the bacteria and unpleasant smell that comes from your armpits with natural deodorants by doing an armpit cleanse.

Mamavation’s Armpit Cleanse Routine

There are a few simple steps you need to take to detox and safely switch to a natural deodorant. The following four steps make up Leah Segedie’s recommended cleanse:

1. After you stop using your current deodorant, use a loofah when showering to remove dead skin and from under your armpit;
2. Apply aluminum-free baking soda to armpits when wet, then apply your natural deodorant.
   • Sensitive Option: If you are sensitive to baking soda, as some people are, you can mix bentonite clay with apple cider vinegar and water to create a yogurt type of consistency for your armpit detox mask recipe instead. Mix it in a bowl with a metal spoon and apply an even layer.
3. Go about your normal day and when you smell an odor coming from your armpits, wash them with a wet washcloth or rinse them in the shower, and then apply aluminum-free baking soda again. After that, apply the natural deodorant again. Or if you are sensitive to baking soda, use the bentonite clay mixture again.
4. Repeat this process for up to two weeks or until your natural deodorant works for up to 6 hours.

Note that the first day you start this armpit cleanse, you may be repeating these steps 5 to 10 times in the first day, but with each application you should be able to go longer and longer. You may want to start this cleanse when you have time to spend indoors at home, like on the weekends. My own cleanse ended after the 4th day, and the average person takes 4-7 days to complete this cleanse. After this cleanse, your natural deodorant should work better and last longer.

If you find that you are sensitive to baking soda, red spots or irritation may develop on your armpits. Don’t worry, just pick up another type of deodorant that doesn’t have baking soda. Once you stop using it, those spots should go away.

Other Categories of Products Mamavation Has Tested for Indications of PFAS “Forever Chemicals”

Before we launch into the raw data from our lab, we wanted to remind you about all the other studies we have done on indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” inside the food and consumer products you may bring inside your home. Each one of these studies were done in a similar fashion as this study with brands sent independently to the lab and raw data of those labs at the bottom of the post.

• Soft Contact Lenses
• Green Beauty Makeup
• Lip Balm
• Condoms & Lubricants
• Dental Floss
• Toilet Paper
• Period Underwear
• Tampons
• Sanitary Pads, Pantiliners, & Incontinence Pads
• Powdered Electrolytes
• Butter Wrappers
• Pasta & Tomato Sauces
• Nut Butters (Peanut butter, etc.)
• Cooking Oils (olive oil, almond oil, canola oil, etc)
• Ketchup
• Activewear (Yoga Pants)
• Sports Bras
• Parchment Paper
• Cupcake Liners
• Plastic-Free Straws
• Fast Food Packaging
• Children’s Probiotics
• Kids’ Backpacks
• Baby Strollers

Mamavation’s Investigation of Deodorants & Indications of PFAS “Forever Chemicals”

Deodorants were purchased between February 2023 and February 2024. (Updated: Additional labs were added in August 2024 and March of 2025) For this consumer study, all products were purchased by Mamavation either at Walmart or from Amazon. Each product was recorded in our database and then sent directly to the lab within its original packaging.

Testing: Mamavation’s EPA-certified laboratory uses marker testing to identify the potential presence of PFAS “forever chemicals” in deodorants. Organic fluorine is a marker for PFAS because all PFAS chemicals are carbon-based compounds that contain fluorine. The specific lab method used to test for total fluorine was the Determination of Total Fluorine by Oxygen Flask Combustion and Ion-Selective Electrode. If total fluorine was observed at a detection level of 10 ppm or greater, the lab did the Determination of free Fluoride Ion in the product by Ion-Selective Electrode and then subtracted that from the Total Fluorine to determine the amount of organic fluorine. This marker testing is likely to show the presence of PFAS. Organic fluorine can also capture other fluoropolymers, pharmaceuticals, and common hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants, such as 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (commonly known as R-134a) and 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (commonly known as HFO-1234yf), which are all also PFAS.  None of which you want around your food, or personal care products like deodorants!

Scott Belcher, Ph.D. & Associate Professor with the Center for Environmental & Health Effects of PFAS at North Carolina State University says “fluoropolymers, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE),  are extremely common forms of PFAS that could be contributing to the organic fluorine found in deodorants. Methods used for detecting individual PFAS, such as PFOA or GenX, cannot directly identify PTFE. However, the analysis of total organic fluorine (TOF) does account for all PFAS contaminants in deodorants, including PTFE. Therefore, this method of testing serves as a good ‘spot-check’ of consumer products.”

Product Brands We Tested
To help our community make safer choices, Mamavation sent a wide range of deodorant and antiperspirant products to an EPA-certified laboratory for organic fluorine testing, a marker for PFAS “forever chemicals.” Below is the complete list of deodorant products included in our investigation.

Deodorant Brands Tested by Mamavation

• Attitude Leaves Bar Deodorant Herbal Musk
• Attitude Oatmeal Sensitive Natural Baking Soda Free
• Bello Tallow Deodorant Peppermint Lemongrass
• Bello Tallow Deodorant Lux Blue Deodorant
• Degree MotionSense Ultraclear Black & White Pure Clean Invisible Solid Antiperspirant
• Degree Shower Clean Antiperspirant Deodorant
• Doterra Natural Deodorant Infused with Doterra Balance Grounding Blend Essential Oil
• Dove Advanced Care Go Fresh Cool Essentials Antiperspirant Deodorant
• Dr. Squatch Men’s Natural Deodorant Pine Tar
• Dr. Teals Aluminum Free Deodorant Magnesium Eucalyptus & Essential Oils
• Each & Every Rose & Vanilla Deodorant
• Earthley Wellness Mineral Deodorant (baking soda free)
• Godesana Clay & Tea Tree Clean Safe Deodorant
• Hello Sweet Coconut Deodorant
• Hey Humans Sandalwood Cypress Deodorant
• Humble Vanilla & Cardamom Baking Soda-Free Deodorant
• Jack Black Original Pit Boss Antiperspirant & Deodorant
• Just Ingredients Eucalyptus Mint Magnesium Deodorant
• Kopari Beach Deodorant
• Lauricidin Natural Deodorant Essential Orange
• Lume Whole Body Deodorant
• Magsol Magnesium Deodorant Smooth Glide Format Jasmine 100% Natural Deodorant
• milk + honey Baking Soda-Free Deodorant Lavender Tea Tree
• OM Botanical Hops & Magnesium Deodorant
• Organic Jaguar Natural Vanilla Rose Deodorant Baking Soda & Aluminum Free
• Pittie Pop Midnight Vanilla Raw Honey Magnesium Zinc Argan Oil Vitamin E Deodorant
• Pit Liquor 100% Natural Deodorant Simply Unscented
• Pretty Frank Jasmine Natural Deodorant
• Primally Pure Deodorant Lavender
• Primally Pure Unscented Deodorant Baking Soda Free
• Primally Pure Charcoal Deodorant Baking Soda Free
• Public Goods Deodorant
• Pure Haven Baking Soda Coconut Peppermint Tea Tree Deodorant
• Pure Haven Non-Baking Soda Coconut Peppermint Tea Tree Deodorant
• Real Purity Roll-on Deodorant
• Rowe Casa Organics All Natural Deodorant Unscented
• Rustic Maka Fresh Active Luna Bliss Natural Deodorant
• Secret Lavender 48 HR Invisible Solid Antiperspirant
• Secret Clinical 72 hour invisible solid power protection Deodorant
• Secret 24 HR Invisible Solid Antiperspirant Powder Fresh
• Secret Whole Body Deodorant
• Stinkbug Unscented Deodorant
• Suave Powder Invisible Solid Antiperspirant Deodorant
• Tom’s of Maine Aluminum Free Unscented Deodorant
• Toups & Co. Organics Extra Strength Natural Deodorant Lime & Bergamot
• Truvani Organic Deodorant Vanilla Cedarwood (discontinued)
• Native Deodorant Coconut & Vanilla
• Native Whole Body Deodorant Unscented
• Norwex Lysere Prebiotic Deodorant with Aloe Vera & Witch Hazel Lavender Coconut
• Ursa Major Sublime Sage Spray Deodorant
• Zebra The Deodorant Wild Lavender Lemon

Want full access to the raw data, PFAS findings, and Mamavation’s recommendations for the safest deodorants? Join Mamagate in the sign-in box below and get Free Access to the complete buying guide with detailed lab results for every product. Make sure to use Internet Explorer, Chrome, or Safari for best viewing experience. Avoid using the Meta browser for access to this site. 

The post Indications of PFAS “Forever Chemicals” Found in Deodorants — Guide appeared first on MAMAVATION.

Disclosure: This consumer study is released in partnership with Environmental Health News. Scientific reviews were performed by (1) Terrence Collins, Teresa Heinz Professor of Green Chemistry & Director of the Institute for Green Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University. Donations were provided by Environmental Health News and Mamavation community members. Note that Mamavation has only “spot-checked” the industry and thus we cannot make predictions about brands and products that we have not tested. Products and manufacturing aides can change without notice so buyer beware. This post contains affiliate links, with most to Amazon, which means Mamavation will receive a portion of those sales and we will use that to pay ourselves back for the testing. You can also give a tax-deductible donation to our consumer studies here through Environmental Health Sciences. Thank you!  Copyright © 2026 Mamavation — All Rights Reserved

Mamavation’s EPA-Certified Laboratory Finds Heavy Metals, PFAS, Pesticides, & Phthalates in Popular Vitamin D Supplements

Mamavation sent eleven popular vitamin D supplements to two EPA-certified laboratories testing for PFAS analytes, including PFOA/PFOS, phthalates, heavy metals, glyphosate, and 500+ additional pesticides. The contamination results were surprising considering how expensive most of these products were. Here’s the outcome of contaminants that were found according to our labs:

• 100% of Vitamin D supplements contained ortho-phthalates. That’s 11 out of 11 products.
• No Vitamin D supplements had levels of heavy metals (lead, arsenic, cadmium & mercury) that would require a Prop. 65 warning in California. 10 products had lower levels of heavy metals. However, 1 product had zero detectable heavy metals.
• None of the Vitamin D supplements we tested had detectable levels of glyphosate at the lowest standardized level.
• 64% of the Vitamin D supplements contained other detectable pesticides. That’s 7 out of 11 products.
• 9% of Vitamin D supplements contained specific PFAS chemicals. That’s 1 out of 11 products.

Terrence Collins, Teresa Heinz Professor of Green Chemistry & Director of the Institute for Green Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University, had some additional points he wanted to make about the testing.

“As a chemist deeply interested in all things chemical that matter to sustainability, my first question is not which brands scored well or poorly. Rather, it is: how are these contaminants getting into Vitamin D products in the first place? If brand owners have good insight into the origins of contamination, they can do a better job of keeping harmful contaminants out.

I take a daily Vitamin D supplement powder capsule and have done so for years. I have generally assumed that higher-priced brands with strong reputations would also exhibit superior contaminant control. The Mamavation findings suggest that this assumption may not always be warranted.

Vitamin D is manufactured primarily from lanolin, a greasy substance produced by sheep and other mammals to coat their wool for waterproofing and thermal insulation. Vegan products can be manufactured from lichen and algae. The synthesis from “wool oil” is relatively straightforward and involves photochemical conversion of lanolin-derived precursors into Vitamin D. One would expect modern purification procedures to remove most contaminants effectively. Yet the analytical findings suggest that contamination is entering some products at some point along the supply chain.

Observation 1: Anthraquinone appears in multiple brands at nearly identical concentrations.

A few vitamin brands contain anthraquinone at approximately 0.01 mg/kg (10 ppb). This raises the possibility of a common supplier, common processing aid, common capsule source, common contract manufacturer, or another shared supply-chain input. The quality-control teams at these brands should investigate whether they have a common upstream source.

Anthraquinone is carcinogenic in certain animal studies, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified it as Group 2B: possibly carcinogenic to humans.

Observation 2: The phthalate fingerprints do not suggest a single contamination source.

Mamavation has done a superb job of quantifying individual phthalates. There are many phthalates used in commerce, and different phthalates tend to be associated with different applications. The identity and quantity of each detected phthalate provide clues about possible contamination pathways.

The spread of phthalate profiles does not look like a single contaminant source affecting all brands equally. Rather, it suggests multiple contamination pathways rather than anything intrinsic to the Vitamin D source itself. At the same time, subgroups of brands exhibit similarities that could indicate common sources.

The first step for any manufacturer interested in eliminating these contaminants should be straightforward: analyze capsules separately from the fill material. Mamavation analyzed finished products, not the individual components. Without separate analyses of capsules, active ingredients, carrier oils, excipients, and packaging materials, it is difficult to determine where contamination is entering the system.

Observation 3: Several phthalate profiles are consistent with contact with flexible PVC materials.

The strongest signal, in my view, is possible contact with flexible PVC materials somewhere in processing or packaging. Diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), diisononyl phthalate (DINP), diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP), and benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) are commonly used as PVC plasticizers. Their recurring appearance across multiple brands is notable because one of their primary commercial functions is to soften PVC and impart flexibility.

Possible sources include:

• Flexible transfer hoses
•  Other tubing
• PVC-lined processing equipment
• Vinyl gloves
• Packaging components
• Other PVC-containing contact materials

This interpretation is, of course, a hypothesis rather than a conclusion. However, the contaminant fingerprints are broadly consistent with such sources.

In my view, PVC is a plastic with significant sustainability and human-health concerns. Phthalate exposure has repeatedly been associated with adverse reproductive outcomes in both laboratory animals and human studies and is considered one plausible contributor to declining male reproductive health.

Observation 4: Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) deserves particular attention.

DBP appears in numerous samples. Historically, its uses have included coatings, adhesives, printing inks, pharmaceutical excipients, and capsule-related processing materials.

The repeated appearance of DBP concerns me more than some of the other phthalates because human evidence exists demonstrating biological effects under real-world exposure conditions.

One of the strongest examples comes from work led by Russ Hauser and colleagues involving DBP-containing mesalamine formulations. Their findings included:

• Changes in semen quality measures when men switched between DBP-containing and non-DBP-containing formulations.
• Alterations in reproductive hormones, including LH, FSH, inhibin B, and testosterone-related signaling.
• Changes in sperm RNA and transcriptomic profiles.
• Associations between phthalate metabolites and sperm DNA damage or poorer semen parameters.

The mesalamine findings do not prove that the much lower DBP levels found in vitamin supplements produce similar effects. However, they demonstrate that DBP is not merely a theoretical concern and can affect human male reproductive biomarkers under real-world exposure conditions.

Several large analyses have reported declines in mean sperm counts exceeding 1% per year over recent decades. Approximately 10–15% of couples experience infertility, and male factors contribute to roughly half of those cases. Chemical contamination is a leading hypothesis for observed declines in male reproductive health and is supported by a growing body of mechanistic and epidemiological evidence, although the relative contribution of chemical exposures versus other factors remains uncertain.

Observation 5: Vegan and non-vegan products do not separate cleanly.

The contaminant profiles do not suggest that vegan products are systematically cleaner than non-vegan products. Manufacturers in both categories appear to have work to do.

Observation 6: One sample deserves immediate investigation.

The extreme outlier at 12,407 ppb total phthalates deserves special attention. This sample contains overwhelmingly DINP-dominated contamination and stands nearly an order of magnitude above most of the others tested.

Its contaminant profile is consistent with contact from a DINP-containing material somewhere in the manufacturing or packaging chain. Potential sources include transfer tubing, flexible PVC components, packaging materials, or another supplier-specific contact material.

If I were responsible for quality control at that company, identifying the source of that DINP contamination would be my first priority.

The broader lesson from these findings is that contaminant fingerprints often contain clues about where contamination enters a manufacturing system. Rather than treating the results merely as a ranking of good and bad brands, manufacturers should view them as diagnostic information. The patterns reported by Mamavation provide several testable hypotheses that quality-control teams could investigate immediately.”

Contaminants Included in Mamavation’s EPA Certified Laboratory Testing

Mamavation sent eleven Vitamin D supplements to two different EPA-certified laboratories looking for specific problematic contaminants that would not be listed on an ingredient panel. These ingredients are never found on an ingredient label because they are not considered “intentionally added” and would instead be considered more of a contaminant from manufacturing, transportation, storage, and/or agricultural practices. However, just because these contaminants are not “intentionally added” doesn’t mean they won’t impact your health over time and usage. With regular, long-term use, even low-level contaminants can matter for health. That’s why independent testing and transparent sourcing practices are important for both consumers and the companies they trust.

Our labs tested for the following contaminants and found some of them present in the Vitamin D we tested to varying degrees:

• 40 specific PFAS “forever” chemicals
• Glyphosate
• 500+ additional Pesticides
• Phthalates
• Lead — heavy metal
• Arsenic — metaloid
• Cadmium — heavy metal
• Mercury — heavy metal

PFAS “Forever Chemical” Analytes Tested, Including PFOA & PFOS

PFAS “forever chemicals” are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances used as stain-resistant, water-resistant, & oil-resistant chemicals in commerce. They have been used for decades in consumer products, manufacturing, and building materials. Here are some of the health effects associated with different PFAS “forever chemicals:”

• Reduction in immunity
• Reduced vaccination response
• Increased risk of allergies & asthma in young children
• Affected growth, learning, and behavior of infants and older children
• Increase cholesterol levels
• Metabolic diseases like obesity & diabetes
• Cardiovascular disease
• Lowered a woman’s chance of getting pregnant
• Lowered male fertility
• Increased risk of kidney & testicular cancers
• Causes endocrine disruption
• Disrupted normal thyroid function
• Increases risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children 
• Cancer

It’s also very clear based on biomonitoring evidence from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) that PFAS are in virtually all Americans. Therefore, these exposures can harm most Americans.

For this investigation, we elected to test for forty specific PFAS analytes listed below using EPA method 1633:

• Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA)
• Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA)
• Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA)
• Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA)
• Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
• Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA)
• Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA)
• Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA)
• Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA)
• Perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTriA)
• Perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTeA)
• Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS)
• Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid (PFPeS)
• Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS)
• Perfluoroheptanesulfonic Acid (PFHpS)
• Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS)
• Perfluorononanesulfonic acid (PFNS)
• Perfluorodecanesulfonic acid (PFDS)
• Perfluorododecanesulfonic acid (PFDoS)
• Perfluorooctanesulfonamide (FOSA)
• NMeFOSAA
• NEtFOSAA
• 4:2 FTS
• 6:2 FTS
• 8:2 FTS
• NEtFOSA
• NMeFOSA
• NMeFOSE
• NEtFOSE
• 9Cl-PF3ONS
• HFPO-DA (GenX)
• 11Cl-PF3OUdS
• ADONA
• 3:3 FTCA
• 5:3 FTCA
• 7:3 FTCA
• NFDHA
• PFMBA
• PFMPA
• PFEESA

Glyphosate — Testing Details

Glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl) glycine] is the active ingredient in glyphosate-based herbicides (GBH) and is the most popular herbicide in the world. Its environmental presence increased sharply after the introduction of “Roundup Ready” crops in 1996, which allowed glyphosate to be sprayed onto crops such as soy, corn, and cotton without killing them. Beyond agriculture, glyphosate is extensively used in landscaping, roadside maintenance, golf courses, and vegetation control in fire-prone areas.

Glyphosate was originally patented as a chelator and an antibiotic, which means it binds minerals and interferes with microbial systems. These properties have fueled concern that long-term exposure may disrupt nutrient absorption, alter the gut microbiota, and increase antibiotic resistance.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified glyphosate as a probable carcinogen, and California lists it under Proposition 65 for cancer and reproductive harm.

Because glyphosate is not an intentionally added ingredient, it does not appear on supplement labels. However, its absence from ingredient panels does not guarantee absence from the product itself. Contamination can occur through agricultural practices, raw material sourcing, manufacturing, transportation, or storage—making independent testing a critical safeguard.

To evaluate potential exposure, Mamavation sent eleven Vitamin D supplements to an EPA-certified laboratory for testing. Samples were analyzed for glyphosate, glufosinate, and AMPA using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) with a detection limit of 10 parts per billion (ppb), which is the lowest level routinely achievable through standardized commercial testing. While some academic laboratories may reach lower limits, those methods are not widely available or standardized for consumer product screening.

500+ Additional Pesticide Laboratory Tests for Vitamin D Supplements — Testing Details

Eleven Vitamin D supplements were sent to our EPA-certified lab and analyzed using two different methods, which totaled testing for 587 pesticides down to the lowest standardized level, which was mostly 10 ppb. However, there are a few chemicals where the detection limit was between 18 and 25 ppb. The first method looked at the following pesticides:

• 2,4,6-Trichloroanisole
• 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol
• 2-phenylphenol (SP)
• 8-hydroxyquinoline (SP)
• Acetochlor
• Acrinathrin
• Alachlor
• Aldrin
• Alpha Endosulfan
• Alpha-HCH
• Ametryn
• Anthraquinone
• Atrazine
• Beflubutamid
• Benalaxyl
• Benfluralin
• Beta Endosulfan
• Beta-HCH
• Bifenazate-Bifenazate Diazene
• Bifenox
• Bifenthrin
• Biphenyl
• Bitertanol
• Bromophos-ethyl
• Bromophos-methyl
• Bromopropylate
• Bupirimate
• Captan
• Captan (Sum)
• Carbophenothion
• Chinomethionat
• Chlordane (Sum)
• Chlorfenapyr
• Chlorfenson
• Chlorfenvinphos
• Chlormephos
• Chlorobenzilate+Chloro propylate
• Chlorothalonil
• Chlorotoluron
• Chlorpropham
• Chlorpyrifos
• Chlorpyrifos-methyl
• Chlorthal-dimethyl
• Chlorthion
• Cinidon-ethyl
• Cis-Chlordane
• Cyfluthrin
• Cyproconazole
• Cyprodinil
• DDD-pp+DDT-0p
• DDT (Sum)
• DEET
• delta-HCH
• Deltamethrin
• Desethyl atrazine
• Diafenthiuron
• Diazinon
• Dichlobenil
• Dichlofenthion
• Diclobutrazol
• Dicloran
• Dicofol (Sum)
• Dicofol 0,p
• Dicofol p,p
• Dicrotophos
• Dieldrin
• Dieldrin (Sum)
• Dicofol o,p
• Dicofol p,p
• Dicrotophos
• Dieldrin
• Dieldrin (Sum)
• Difenoconazole
• Diflufenican
• Dimefox
• Dimoxystrobin
• Diniconazole
•  Dinobuton
• Diphenylamine
• Disulfoton (SP)
• Disulfoton (Sum)
• Disulfoton Sulfone
• Disulfoton Sulfoxide
• Ditalimfos
• Endosulfan (Sum)
• Endosulfan-Sulphate
• Endrin
• EPN
• Epsilon-HCH
• EPTC
• Ethalfuralin
• Ethion
• Ethofumesate (SP)
• Ethoprophos
• Etridiazole
• Etrimfos
• Fenarimol
• Fenazaquin
• Fenchlorphos (SP)
• Fenchlorphos (Sum)
• Fenchlorphos Oxon
• Fenitrothion
• Fenpropathrin
• Fenson
• Fenthion (SP)
• Fenthion Oxon
• Fenvalerate
• Flucythrinate
• Flumetralin
• Fluopicolide
• Fluopyram
• Fluotrimazole
• Flutamone
• Fluvalinate
• Folpet
• Folpet (Sum)
• Fonofos
• Furalaxyl
• Heptachlor (SP)
• Heptachlor (Sum)
• Heptachlor Epoxide A
• Heptachlor Epoxide B
• Heptenophos
• Hexachlorobenzene
• Hexaclorobutadiene
• Hexacanazole
• Iodofenphos
• Iprobenfos
• Iprodione
• Iprovalicarb
• Isazofos
• Isofenphos
• Isophenfos-methyl
• Kresoxim-methyl
• Lambda-Cyhalothrin
• Lindane
• Malaoxon
• Malathion (SP)
• Mefenpyr Diethyl
• Mepronil
• Metalaxyl-M (Mefenoxam)
• Methacrifos
• Methidathion
• Methacrifos
• Methidathion
• Methoxychlor
• Metribuzin
• Mevinphos
• Mirex
• Molinate
• Myclobutanil
• Naled
• Naled (Sum)
• Napropamide
• Nitrofen
• Nitrothal Isopropyl
• Nuarimol
• o,p-DDD
• o,p-DDE
• Ofurace
• Oxadixyl
• Oxychlordan
• Oxyfluorfen
• p,p-DDT
• p,p-DDE
• Paraoxon Methyl
• Paraoxon-ethyl
• Parathion Methyl (SP)
• Parathion Methyl (Sum)
• Parathion-ethyl
• Parathion-ethyl (Sum)
• Penconazole
• Pendimethalin
• Pentachloroaniline
• Pentachloroanisole
• Pentachlorobenzene
• Pentachlorobenzonitrile
• Pentachlorophenol
• Permethrin
• Phenthoate
• Phorate
• Phosalone
• Phthalimide
• Piperonyl butoxide
• Pirimiphos-ethyl
• Pirimiphos-methyl
• Procymidone
• Profenofos
• Profluralin
• Prometryn
• Propazine
• Propetamphos
• Propyzamide
• Prothiofos
• Pyrazophos
• Pyridaben
• Pyridaphenthion
• Pyrifenox
• Pyrimethanil
• Pyriproxyfen
• Quinalphos
• Quintozene
• Quintozene (Sum)
• Silthiofam
• Simazine
• Tebuconazole
• Tebufenpyrad
• Tecnazene
• Tefluthrin
• Terbacil
• Terbumeton
• Terbuthylazine
• Terbuthylazine Desethyl
• Terbutryn
• Tetrachlorvinphos
• Tetracanazole
• Tetradifon
• Tetrahydrophthalimide (THPI)
• Tetramethrin
• Tetrasul
• Thiometon
• Tolclofos-methyl
• Trans-Chlordane
• Transfluthrin
• Triadimefon
• Triadimenol
• Tri-allate
• Triamiphos
• Trifluralin
• Uniconazole
• Vinclozolin
• Zeta-cypermethrin

The second group was analyzed using the LC-MS/MS technique for 360 pesticides and included the following:

• 3-OH carbofuran (SQ)
• Abamectin
• Acephate
• Acequinocyl
• Acetamiprid
• Acibenzolar-S-methyl (SP)
• Alcarb (SP)
• Aldicarb (Sum)
• Aldicarb Sulfone
• Aldicarb Sulfoxide
• Ametroctradin
• Aminocarb
• Amitraz (SP)
• Atrizine Desisopropyl
• Azaconazole
• Azadirachtin
• Azamethiphos
• Azimsulfuron
• Azinphos-ethyl
• Azinphos-methyl
• Azocyclotin and Cyhexatin (SQ)
• Azoxystrobin
• Ben-Carb-TPN (Sum)
• Bendiocarb
• Bentazone (SP)
• Bentazones-methyl
• Benthiavalicarb
• Bioallethrin
• Bixafen
• Boscalid
• Bromacil
• Bromoxynil (SP)
• Bromuconazole
• BTS 44595
• BTS 44596
• Buprofezin
• Butachlor
• Butocarboxim
• Butoxicarboxim Sulfoxide
• Butralin
• Buturon
• Cadusafos
• Carbaryl
• Carbendazim and Benomyl
• Carbetamide
• Carboxin (SP)
• Carfentazone-ethyl (SP)
• Chloratraniliprole
• chlorbromuron
• Chlorfluazuron
• Chloridazon
• Chloroxuron
• Chlorsulfuron
• Chlorthiophos
• Clethodim (SP)
• Clethodim Sulfoxide
• Clofentezine
• Clomazone
• Clopyralid
• Clothianidine
• Coumaphos
• Crimidine
• Cyanazine
• Cyantraniliprole
• Cyazofamid
• Cyclanilide
• Cycloate
• Cycloxydim (SP)
• Cyenopyrafen
• Cyflufenamid
• Cyflumetofen
• Cyhalofop-butyl
• Cymoxanil
• Cyromazine
• Demeton S
• Demeton-S-methyl
• Demeton-S-Methylsulfone
• Demeton-S-sulfoxide
• Desmedipham
• Desmetryn
• Dialifos
• Dichiofluanid
• Dichlormid
• Dichloroprop
• Dichlorvos
• Diclofop (SP/SQ)
• Diclofop (Sum)
• Diclofo-methyl (SP/SQ)
• Diethofencarb
• Diflubenzuron
• Dimefuron
• Dimethachlor
• Dimethenamid-P
• Dimethoate
• Dimethoate (Sum)
• Dimethomorph
• Dimethylaminosulfotoluidide (DMST)
• Dinotefuran
• Diuron
• DNOC
• Dodemorph
• Dodine
• Edifenphos
• Emamectin B1a
• Epoxiconazole
• Ethaboxam
• Ethiofencarb
• Ethiofencarb sulfone
• Ethiofencarb sulfoxide
• Ethiprole
• Ethirimol
• Ethoxyquin (SQ)
• Etofenprox
• Etoxazole
• Famoxadone
• Fenamidone
• Fenamiphos (SP)
• Fenamiphos (Sum)
• Fenamiphos Sulphone
• Fenamiphos Sulphoxide
• Febnuconazole
• Fenbutatin oxide
• Fenhexamid
• Fenobucarb
• Fenoxycarb
• Fenpiclonil
• Fenpropidin (SP)
• Fenpropimorph
• Fenpyrazamine
• Fenpyroximate
• Fensulfothion
• Fensulfothion Oxon
• Fensulfothion Oxon Sulfone
• Fensulfothion Sulfone
• Fenthion (Sum)
• Fenthion Oxon Sulfone
• Fenthion Oxon Sulfoxide
• Fentin (SP/SQ)
• Fenuron
• Fipronil (SP)
• Fipronil (Sum)
• Fipronil Sulfide
• Fipronil Sulfone
• Flamprop
• Flazasulfuron
• Flonicamid (SP)
• Flonicamid (Sum)
• Florasulam
• Fluazifop-methyl (SP)
• Fluazifop-P (SP)
• Fluazifop-P-butyl (SP)
• Fluazinam
• Flubendiamide
• Fludioxonil
• Flufenacet
• Flufenacet (Sum)
• Flufenacet ESA
• Flufenacet OA
• Flufenoxuron
• Flumioxazin
• Fluometuron
• Fluoxastrobin
• Flupyradifurone
• Fluquinconazole
• Fluoxypyr (SP)
• Fluroxypyr-meptyl
• Fluroxypyr-meptyl
• Flusilazole
• Flutolanil
• Flutriafol
• Fluxapyroxad
• Foramsulfuron
• Forchlorfenuron
• Formetanate (SP)
• Formothion
• Fosthiazate
• Fuberidazole
• Halosulfuron methyl
• Haloxyfop (Sum)
• Haloxyfop-2-ethoxyethyl
• Haloxyfop-methyl (SP)
• Haloxyfop-R (SP)
• Hexaflumuron
• Hexazinone
• Hexythiazox
• Imazalil
• Imazapic
• Imazappic
• Imazapyr
• Imidacloprid
• Indaziflam
• Indoxacarb
• Iodosulfuron-methyl (SP)
• Ioxynil (SP)
• Isocarbophos
• Isoprocarb
• Isoprothiolane
• Isoproturon
• Isopyrazam
• Isoxaben
• Isoxathion
• Ivermectin
• Lenacil
• Linuron
• Lufenuron
• Mandipropamid
• Matrine
• MCPA (SP)
• Mecarbam
• Mepanipyrim
• Meptyldinocap
• Mesosulfuron-methyl
• Mesotrione
• Metaflumizone
• Metamitron
• Metazachlor (SP)
• Methiocarb (Sum)
• Methoprotyne
• Methoxyfenozide
• Metobromuron
• Metolachlor and S-Metolachlor
• Metolcarb
• Metoxuron
• Metrafenone
• Metsulfuron-methyl
• Milbemectin SQ (Sum)
• Milbemycin A3 (SQ)
• Milbemycin A4 (SQ)
• Monocrotophos
• Monolinuron
• monuron
• Neburon
• Nicosulfuron
• Nitenpyram
• Norflurazon
• Novaluron
• Omethoate
• Oxadiargyl
• Oxydiazon
• Oxamyl
• Oxasulfuron
• Oxathiapiprolin
• Oxycarboxin
• Paclobutrazol
• Pencycuron
• Penthiopyrad
• Phenmedipham
• Phorate (Sum)
• Phorate Oxon
• Phorate Oxon Sulfone
• Phorate Oxon Sulfoxide
• Phorate Sulfone
• Phorate Sulfoxide
• Phosmet (SP)
• Phosmet (Sum)
• Phosmet oxon
• Phosphamidon
• Phoxim
• Picolinafen
• Picoxystrobin
• Pinoxaden
• Pirimicarb
• Pirimicarb Desmethyl
• Pirimicarb Desmethyl Formamide
• Prochloraz (SP)
• Prochloraz (Sum)
• Promecarb
• Propachlor
• Propamocarb (SP)
• Propanil
• Propaquizafob
• Propargite
• Propham
• Propiconazole
• Propoxur
• Proquinazid
• Prosulfocarb
• Prosulfuron
• Prothiocaonazole
• Pydiflumetofen
• Pymetrozine
• Pyracarbolid
• Pyraclostrobin
• Pyraflufen
• Pydiflumetofen
• Pymetrozine
• Pyracarbolid
• Pyraclostrobin
• Pyraflufen
• Pyraflufen-ethyl (SP)
• Pyraflufen-ethyl (Sum)
• Pyridalyl
• Pyridate (SP)
• Quinclorac
• Quinoxyfen
• Quizalofop-ethyl (SP)
• Rimsulfuron
• Rotenone
• Saflufenacil (SP)
• Sebuthylazine
• Sethoxydim
• Spinetoram
• Spinosad
• Spirodiclofen
• Spiromesifen
• Spirotetramat (SP)
• Spirotetramat (Sum)
• Spirotetramatenol-glucoside
• Spirotetramat-enol
• Spirotetramat-ketohydroxy
• Spirotetramat-monohydroxy
• Spiroxamine
• Sulcotrione
• Sulfosulfuron
• Sulfotep
• Sulfoxaflor
• Tebufenozide
• Teflubenzuron
• Tepraloxydim (SP)
• Terbufos
• Terbufos (Sum)
• Terbufos Sulfone
• Terbufos Sulfoxide
• TFNA
• TFNG
• Thiabendazole
• Thiacloprid
• Thiamethoxam
• Thiamethoxam (Sum)
• Thidiazuron
• Thifensulfuron-methyl
• Thiobencarb
• Thiocyclam
• Thiodicarb
• Thiofanox
• Thiofanox Sulfone
• Thiofanox Sulfoxide
• Thiophanate-methyl
• Tolfenpyrad
• Tolylfluanid (SP)
• Tolyfluanid (Sum)
• Triasulfuron
• Triazophos
• Triazoxide
• Trichlorfon
• Tricresyl phosphate
• Tricyclazole
• Tridemorph
• Trifloxystrobin
• Triflumizole (SP)
• Triflumizole (Sum)
• Triflumizole FM-6-1
• Triflumuron
• Triforine (SQ)
• Triticonazole
• Vamidothion
• Zoxamide

Phthalates — Testing Details

Phthalates are linked to a range of adverse health effects in numerous studies involving both animals and humans. They are especially concerning because phthalates are associated with disruption of the endocrine hormone system. Hormones act at extremely low concentrations and play essential roles in development–determining how cells, tissues, and organs form–as well as in metabolism, reproduction, and immune function; even small disruptions can therefore have outsized biological consequences. Epidemiological studies have shown that phthalate exposure can alter hormone levels in ways that interfere with these critical processes. Several health outcomes associated with phthalate exposure are summarized below.

• Weight gain & obesity
• Shorter height
• Precocious puberty
• Asthma
• Allergies
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) 
• Lower IQ
• Social impairment
• Type II diabetes and insulin resistance
• Poor cardiovascular health
• Thyroid function and increased risk of thyroid cancer
• Females: pregnancy loss and preterm birth, low birth weight, earlier menopause
• Males: genital development, semen quality, reduced “masculine” play, Inhibits testosterone production, Shortened anogenital distance, or shortened “taint” , Shortened length of penis

Mamavation’s EPA-certified lab tested for the following phthalates. This is not a complete list of all the phthalates that are allowed to be present as an indirect food additive according to the FDA, however, this list goes above and beyond what is already restricted by the European Union or the State of California.

• Diethyl phthalate (DEP)
• Di-n-propyl phthalate (DPP)
• Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP)
• Dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
• Dihexyl phthalate (DnHP)
• Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP)
• Dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP)
• Diisononyl phthalate (DINP)
• Di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP)
• Diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP)
• bis(2-Ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP)
• Dimethyl phthalate (DMP)
• Bis(2-propylheptyl) Phthalate (DPHP)
• Didecyl phthalate (DDP)

Heavy Metals: Lead, Cadmium, Mercury & Arsenic — Testing Details

Our EPA-certified laboratory tested each Vitamin D supplements for the following metals:

• lead,
• arsenic,
• cadmium,
• mercury

Mamavation then adjusted the lab results to align with California’s Proposition 65 by converting them into micrograms per day (ug/day) based on typical serving sizes. California uses some of the most health-protective exposure limits in the country. Instead of banning products outright, Proposition 65 requires companies to warn consumers when exposure to certain harmful chemicals exceeds established safety thresholds.

Proposition 65 has set “safe harbor” levels for several heavy metals tested in this study, including arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury. When exposures go above these levels, companies selling products in California must provide a warning label to inform consumers of potential risks related to cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.

This approach is designed to put information directly in consumers’ hands, enabling informed choices about what they use and encouraging companies to reduce harmful contaminants whenever possible.

Here are the No Significant Risk Levels (NSRL) and the Maximum Allowable Dose Levels (MADL) established by the State of California for the heavy metals we tested:

• Arsenic: 0.06 ug/day (inhalation), 10 ug/day (except inhalation)
• Cadmium: 0.05 ug/day (inhalation), 4.1 ug/day (oral)
• Lead: 0.5 ug/day level for reproductive toxicity, 15 ug/day (oral) for carcinogens
• Mercury: no established levels in California, so the Federal maximum contaminant level for mercury would be followed instead.

Mamavation’s Raw Data From Our EPA-Certified Laboratory Ranked

Mamavation sent two sets of eleven Vitamin D supplements to different EPA-certified laboratories looking for traces of contaminants:

• 500+ pesticides (which is more comprehensive than other testing we’ve seen)
• Glyphosate
• 40 PFAS “forever chemical” analytes like PFOA & PFOS. (This is different from our other studies where we measured total organic fluorine.)
• Heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury, & arsenic)
• Phthalates

If you would like to donate to our efforts, you can do so by giving a tax-deductible donation here through Environmental Health Sciences. You can also support our efforts by shopping our affiliate links. Please note that links below are affiliate in nature and any purchases will pay us back for the testing and allow us to do more testing in the future. 

Product Brands We Tested

To help our community make safer choices, Mamavation sent multiple popular Vitamin D supplement brands to EPA-certified laboratories for contaminant testing. We also included several additional products selected by our community to give consumers a broader picture of what families are already purchasing. All products were evaluated for pesticides, PFAS, glyphosate, heavy metals, and phthalates.

Below is the complete list of women’s multivitamin brands included in our investigation.

Vitamin D Supplements Tested by Mamavation

• Designs For Health Vitamin D Synergy with Vitamin K1 and K2
• Garden of Life Vitamin Code Raw D3 5,000 IU (125 mcg)
• Life Extension Vitamins D and K and Sea-Iodine
• MegaFood Vitamin D3 & K2
• Metagenics D3 5000 +K
• Now Foods Vitamin D-3 & K-2
• Perfect Supplements D3 Drops Citrus Flavored
• Pure Encapsulations Vitamin D3 & K2
• Seeking Health Vitamin D3 + K2
• Sports Research D3+K2 Plant-Based Dietary Supplement
• Thorne Vitamin D + K2 Dietary Supplement Drops

Want full access to the raw data, contaminant results, and our recommendations for the safest children’s multivitamins? Sign up to MAMAGATE and get Free Access below. Make sure you are not on Facebook’s browser and use Internet Explorer, Safari, or Chrome instead. 

The post Vitamin D Supplements Tested for Pesticides, Lead, PFAS, & Phthalates appeared first on MAMAVATION.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Mamavation independently tested Kasandrinos for phthalates, and we will pay ourselves back with the affiliate revenue we get from this post. You can also give a tax-deductible donation to our consumer studies here through Environmental Health Sciences. Thank you!  Copyright © 2026 Mamavation — All Rights Reserved

Kasandrinos Becomes Mamavation’s First Verified Phthalate-Free Olive Oil

After extensively testing olive oils and other cooking oils over the past couple of years, Mamavation has FINALLY found the first phthalate-free olive oil: Kasandrinos USDA Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil. We tested Kasandrinos Extra Virgin Olive Oil for 19 phthalates at the lowest standardized detection level and then retested them again at another laboratory. In other words, we confirmed this at two separate independent labs. The results were non-detect and very good news!

• Kasandrinos USDA Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil = non-detect total phthalates

Kasandrinos also hosts their extensive testing online for everyone to see. In addition to phthalate testing, they offer Bisphenol A, glyphosate, heavy metal, acidity, & chemical composition testing on their site.

Kasandrinos USDA Organic Olive Oil Celebratory Sale

To celebrate these verified results, Kasandrinos is offering 20% off its olive oils and other products.

• Kasandrinos USDA Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil –Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 20% off products  (Or you can alternatively purchase Kasandrinos organic extra virgin olive oil on Amazon here with no discount)

Now take a few minutes to read about the story behind Kasandrinos and the changes they made to become our only verified phthalate-free olive oil. We also provide questions you can ask other olive oil brands to determine whether they are worth your purchase.

Kasandrinos Cared Enough to Work with Mamavation and Changed Their Processing

This all started with our olive oil investigation, in which we originally found that 100% of the olive oils we tested contained traces of phthalates, with total phthalate levels ranging from 194 ppb to 6,092 ppb. Most olive oils had well over 1000 ppb total phthalates. After our second round of testing, Kasandrinos Olive Oil had the lowest phthalate levels, at only 194 ppb.

So we contacted Kasandrinos to inquire about how they could be so incredibly low in phthalate exposure. We also wanted to understand why they were so different than the other brands, so we could report on this publicly, in hopes that other competitors would use that information to improve their own supply chains. But we also wanted to encourage them to go even further.

We interviewed Tony Kasandrinos, the Founder & CEO of Kasandrinos. In our interview, it was immediately apparent that Tony knew the olive oil industry inside and out and could provide us with valuable information on common manufacturing and farming practices.

Kasandrinos Already Utilizes Sustainable Practices & What They Changed to Become Non-detect

There is a reason why so many olive oils are full of phthalates. The use of plastic and other polymers is commonplace in the olive oil industry during harvesting, transporting, processing, storage, and bottling. But this is something Kasandrinos has been wary of since the very beginning, as a small family business and olive oil farm operating in Greece.

One of the main differences that set Kasandrinos apart in our initial testing was their lack of plastic during the harvesting, processing, storage, & bottling stages. They avoided plastic tubing during olive oil production and avoided robotic harvesting, which also involves plastic. “Our olives are hand-picked rather than harvested by machines, many of which use plastic parts to remove olives from the branches.” This concerns us about robotic farm harvesting and manufacturing in general. Apparently, those robotic plastics are full of phthalates, and contamination is happening.  “All of our tubing during the olive oil production is stainless steel, instead of relying on plastic tubing.” This is a similar change that the dairy industry is starting to implement to lower phthalates in dairy milk. In addition, they also avoid transporting the olives in plastic bins and use old-fashioned burlap sacks instead. And finally, for storage, they immediately bottle the olive oil in dark glass bottles rather than in plastic vats. In other words, they cut out storage and go right to bottling.

Now, what did Kasandrinos do to lower their total phthalate results from 194 ppb to non-detect? That required some additional investigation and implementing changes on their part. “After reviewing the results, we took a close look at every step of our production process to identify any point where our olives or olive oil could potentially come into contact with plastic. We did identify one area for improvement: a plastic conveyor belt used before the stage where olives are separated from branches and leaves. We have since changed that step so the olives no longer come into contact with that belt.” Now, the olives are fed into the machine manually rather than placed on that plastic conveyor belt.

After this change was made, Kasandrinos tested their olive oils for phthalates and received a non-detect. They contacted us with the good news, and then Mamavation independently confirmed those results at two different EPA-certified labs. Hooray!

What Can The Olive Oil Industry Do To Lower Phthalates

For other olive oil brands that have phthalates at much higher levels, we can only assume it’s plastic contamination along the supply chain, from harvesting to bottling. When you are trying to figure out which olive oil brands to feed your family, and Mamavation has not tested them, here are some details you can ask to help you think through this process based on Kasandrinos’ practices.

1. Instead of robotic harvesting, hand-pick the olives
2. Instead of transporting the olives in plastic crates, use burlap sacks
3. Instead of relying on plastic conveyor belts, manually place them into the separator to destem the branches
4. Instead of using plastic tubes when the olive oil is produced, switch to stainless steel tubes
5. Instead of storing the olive oil in plastic containers, bottle the olive oil immediately
6. Instead of bottling the olive oil in plastic bottles, use dark glass bottles

Other Mamavation Investigations

Are you looking for additional similar investigations testing the food supply and other consumer products? Mamavation has got you covered. Here are some of our additional consumer studies you may be interested in:

Beauty & Personal Care Products

• Green Beauty Makeup
• Lip Balms
• Deodorants
• Toilet Paper
• Dental Floss
• Contact Lenses
• Condoms & Lubricants
• Bandages like “Band-Aids”
• Mouth Tape

Food & Beverages

• Butter Wrappers
• Fast Food Packaging
• Nut Butters
• Cooking Oils
• Pasta & Tomato Sauces
• Ketchup
• Non-Dairy Powdered Creamers
• Chamomile Teas 
• Green Teas
• Earl Grey Teas 
• Sparkling Waters
• Store-bought Pasta
• Cooking Oils
• Olive Oils
• Avocado Oils
• Coconut Oils
• Ghees
• Tallows
• Flaxseed Oils
• Cinnamon
• Coffee
• Tuna
• Salt
• Basmati Rice
• Jasmine Rice
• Sparkling Waters
• Chamomile Teas
• Green Teas
• Earl Grey Teas
• Wine
• Oatmilks

Supplements

• Electrolytes
• Children’s Probiotics
• Adult Probiotics
• Protein Powders
• Children’s Multivitamins
• Women’s Multivitamins
• Essential Oils

Menstrual Products

• Tampons
• Sanitary Pads & Incontinence Pads
• Period Underwear

Clothing

• Activewear –Yoga Pants & Workout Leggings
• Sports bras 
• Bras

Food Packaging & Kitchen Cleanup

• Parchment Paper Baking Paper 
• Cupcake Liners
• Plastic Free Disposable Straws
• Fast Food & Grocery Store Packaging Testing
• Sandwich Bags like Ziploc
• Paper Plates
• Paper Towels

Small Kitchen Appliances

• Water Filters
• Air Fryers & Air Fryer Ovens
• Juicers
• Kitchen Stand Mixers
• Rice Cookers
• Waffle Makers
• Indoor Kitchen Grills & Paninis
• Blenders
• Nut Milk Makers
• Food Processors
• Toasters & Toaster Ovens
• Outdoor Grills & BBQs
• Ice Cream Makers
• Slow Cookers
• Espresso Machines & Mokas
• Electric Kettles

Serving & Plating

• Dishes & Dishware
• Silverware
• Paper Plates

Cleaning Products

• All-Purpose Cleaners
• Hardwood Floor Cleaners & Other Cleaners
• Safe Disinfectants 
• Carpet & Upholstery Cleaners
• Window & Glass Cleaners
• Laundry Detergent
• Fabric Softeners & Dryer Sheets
• Dish Soap
• Dishwasher Detergents
• Rinse Aids
• Paper Towels

Home Goods

• Air Purifiers
• Infrared Saunas
• Organic Mattresses
• Bedding without PFAS
• Weighted Blankets
• Rugs
• Showerhead Water Filters
• Space Heaters
• Televisions
• Kitchen Cabinets
• Candles

The post Kasandrinos — Verified Phthalate-Free Extra Virgin Olive Oil appeared first on MAMAVATION.

Disclosure: This consumer study is released in partnership with Environmental Health News. Donations were provided by Environmental Health News and Mamavation community members. Note that Mamavation has only “spot-checked” the industry and thus we cannot make predictions about brands and products that we have not tested. Products and manufacturing aides can change without notice so buyer beware. This post contains affiliate links, with some to Amazon, which means Mamavation will receive a portion of those sales and we will use that to pay ourselves back for the testing. You can also give a tax-deductible donation to our consumer studies here through Environmental Health Sciences. Thank you!  

Mamavation Found PFAS in Popular Teas

Mamavation has been testing several categories of teas for specific PFAS “forever chemicals,” and we thought it would be useful to bring you a synopsis of what was found thus far all together in one place. Note that some teas tested higher for PFAS compounds than others. The PFAS levels that were high enough to quantify are referred to as “quantifiable PFAS” and you’ll find all those results at the bottom of this post.

Here’s a quick synopsis of how much PFAS was found in each category:

• 91% of Earl Grey tea contained specific PFAS “forever chemicals,” and 25% of those teas had quantifiable PFAS.
• 54% of Chamomile tea contained specific PFAS “forever chemicals,” and 31% of those teas had quantifiable PFAS.
• 50% of green teas contained specific PFAS “forever chemicals,” and 33% of those teas had quantifiable PFAS.

PFAS “Forever Chemicals” Have Problematic Health Effects

PFAS “forever chemicals” are problematic for human health and the environment. They are considered ubiquitous, persistent, and toxic. Therefore, reducing the amount of PFAS you are exposed to from food, water, and other beverages like tea is imperative. Mamavation is dedicated to helping you do that when shopping for tea.

Here are some of the adverse health effects of different PFAS “forever chemicals:”

• Reduction in immunity
• Reduced vaccination response
• Increased risk of allergies & asthma in young children
• Affected growth, learning, and behavior of infants and older children
• Increases cholesterol levels
• Metabolic diseases like obesity & diabetes
• Cardiovascular disease
• Lowered a woman’s chance of getting pregnant
• Lowered male fertility
• Increased risk of kidney & testicular cancers
• Causes endocrine disruption
• Disrupted normal thyroid function
• Increases risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children 

It’s also very clear, based on biomonitoring evidence from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), that PFAS are in all Americans. Therefore, these exposures can harm most Americans.

Recent Studies on PFAS in Teas Have Demonstrated Widespread Contamination

The past five years have seen a flurry of studies looking at specific PFAS compounds and certain foods and beverages like tea. One study claimed that people who drank more tea were more likely to have higher levels of PFAS in their blood. Here are some recent examples of studies done on teas:

• In a study published in 2023, tea bags coming from India were found to contain PFOS, PFHxS, and PFNA present in the tea bag powder and tea bag material.
• In a study published in 2022, bubble tea was found to contain certain PFAS compounds at concerning levels.
• In a Japanese study published in 2021, PFAS was found in Japanese teas, among other products like bottled water and juice.
• Another study in 2021 found specific PFAS compounds in beer and tea.
• A study in 2020 found that coffee/tea was associated with higher plasma concentrations of specific PFAS as well.

Terrence Collins, Teresa Heinz Professor of Green Chemistry & Director of the Institute for Green Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University had this to say about the study: “This study looks at an important question for green tea drinkers. Are ‘forever chemicals’, PFAS compounds that the human body cannot break down and tends to hold on to, in the product contaminant profile? The results speak for themselves. No one wants to be ingesting PFAS when they drink green tea! It’s somewhat comforting that PFAS contamination is not universal, at least in Mamavation’s spot-testing. Green tea drinkers are now armed with the knowledge to send messages of approval or disapproval through their buying habits across the green tea business world.”

Mamavation’s Investigation of Earl Grey Tea, Chamomile Tea, & Green Tea and 40 Analyte PFAS Testing

Earl Grey Teas, Chamomile Teas, and Green Teas were purchased in 2024 and 2025. Each product was recorded in our database and sent directly to the lab within its original packaging.

Testing Loose Leaf Tea: Mamavation’s EPA-certified laboratory used method EPA 1633 to test for 40 PFAS compounds, including the following:

• Perflurobutanoic acid (PFBA)
• Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA)
• Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA)
• Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA)
• Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
• Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA)
• Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA)
• Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA)
• Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA)
• Perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA)
• Perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTeDA)
• Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS)
• Perfluoropentansulfonic acid (PFPeS)
• Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS)
• Perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS)
• Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS)
• Perfluoronanesulfonic acid (PFNS)
• Perfluorodecanesulfonic acid (PFDS)
• Perfluorododecanesulfonic acid (PFDoS)
• 1H,1H, 2H, 2H-Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (4:2FTS)
• 1H,1H, 2H, 2H-Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (6:2FTS)
• 1H,1H, 2H, 2H-Perfluorodecane sulfonic acid (8:2FTS)
• Perfluorooctanesulfonamide (PFOSA)
• N-methyl perfluorooctanesulfonamide (NMeFOSA)
• N-ethyl perfluorooctanesulfonamide (NEtFOSA)
• N-methyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NMeFOSE)
• N-ethyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoethanol (NEtFOSE)
• Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA)
• 4,8-Dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoic acid (ADONA)
• Perfluoro-3-methoxypropanoic acid (PFMPA)
• Perfluoro-4-methoxybutanoic acid (PFMBA)
• Nonafluoro-3,6-dioxaheptanoic acid (NFDHA)
• 9-Chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanonane-1-sulfonic acid (9CI-PF3ONS)
• 11-Chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonic acid (11CI-PF3OUdS)
• Perfluoro(2-ethoxyethane)sulfonic acid (PFEESA)
• 3-Perfluoropropyl propanoic acid (3:3FTCA)
• 2H,2H,3H,3H-Perfluorooctanoic acid (5:3FTCA)
• 3-Perfluoroheptyl propanoic acid (7:3FTCA)

Not Our Favorite Teas

Not Our Favorite Earl Grey

Our lab found quantifiable amounts of specific PFAS within these tea leaves. Of the 40 PFAS analytes tested for at least one was found. We also put brands here where we found over 200 ppm of total fluorine in the tea sachets.

• Allegro Tea Organic Floral Earl Grey Tea — 0.643 ng/g (ppb) PFPeA
  • Tea Bag — 14 ppm total fluorine
• Frontier Co-Op Earl Grey Black Tea Certified Organic Tea — 0.415 ng/g (ppb) PFPeA
  • No Tea Bag
• Numi Organic Black Tea Aged Earl Grey Assam Aged with Real Bergamot — <MRL PFPeA
  • Tea Bag — 522 ppm total fluorine
• Pique Miss Grey Black Tea Energy/Digestion Bioavailable Full Spectrum Tea Crystals — 0.401 ng/g (ppb) PFPeA, <MRL PFOA
  • No Tea Bag
• Stash Loose Leaf Double Bergamot Earl Grey — <MRL PFPeA
  • Tea Bag — 388 ppm total fluorine
• Taylors Earl Grey Leaf Tea Black Tea with Natural Oil of Bergamot — <MRL PFOA
  • Tea Bag — 260 ppm total fluorine

Not Our Favorite Chamomile

These products were sent off to an EPA-certified laboratory. The tea leaves were tested for 40 PFAS analytes and each product had positive results. The tea bags were tested for fluorine, a marker of PFAS “forever chemicals.”

• Bigelow Cozy Chamomile Herbal Tea — Tea Leaves: 2.37 PFBA ng/g, Tea Bag: Non-detect fluorine.
• Numi Organic Herbal Teasan Chamomile Lemon Sweet Flowers & Lemon Myrtle Tea — Tea Leaves: 0.78 PFBA ng/g & 0.478 6:2FTS ng/g, Tea Bag: Non-detect fluorine.
• PUKKA Chamomile, Vanilla, & Manuka Honey Blissful Calm Organic Tea — Tea Leaves: 0.32 PFBA ng/g, Tea Bag: Non-detect fluorine.
• Traditional Medicinals Organic Chamomile Supports Relaxation Tea — Tea Leaves: 0.97 PFBA ng/g, Tea Bag: Non-detect fluorine.

Not Our Favorite Green Tea

These products were sent off to an EPA-certified laboratory. The tea leaves were tested for 40 PFAS analytes, and each product had positive results.

• Pique Sun Goddess Matcha Green Tea Radiant Skin/ Energy Bioavailable Full Spectrum Ceremonial Grade — Tea Powder: PFPeA 0.226 ng/g, PFHpA 0.137 ng/g, PFBS <MRL. This product has no tea bag.
• The Republic of Tea The People’s Green Tea Daily — Tea Leaves: 0.206 PFOA ng/g
• Traditional Medicinals Organic Green Tea with Toasted Rice Matcha — Tea Leaves: 0.397 PFOA ng/g
• Yogi Green Tea Pure Green Supports Vitality — Tea Leaves: PFOA 0.103 ng/g

Better Teas

Better Earl Grey

Our lab could not find quantifiable amounts of specific PFAS compounds; however, they did find the presence of at least one specific PFAS compound within the tea leaves. This means the lab could detect PFAS, but it wasn’t in high enough amounts to determine how much was in there. If tea bags were available, our lab also tested those bags separately for total fluorine, which is an indicator of PFAS and fluoride combined.

• Harney & Sons Master Tea Blenders Earl Grey Flavored Black Tea — <MRL PFPeA
  • Tea Bag — 16 ppm total fluorine
• Mighty Leaf Organic Earl Grey Smooth Black Tea — <MRL PFPeA
  • Tea Bag — 15 ppm total fluorine
• Organic Positively Tea Company Earl Grey De La Creme Organic Black Tea, Natural Vanilla Flavoring, Organic Cornflowers and Natural Bergamot Flavoring — <MRL PFPeA
  • No Tea Bag
• The Republic of Tea Earl Greyer Full-Leaf Loose Black Tea Premium Quality Black Tea Leaves and Natural Oil of Bergamot — <MRL PFPeA, <MRL PFOA
  • Tea Bag — 18 ppm total fluorine
• Two Leaves and a Bud 50 Naked Sachets Earl Grey Whole Leaf Black Tea — <MRL PFPeA, <MRL PFHxA
  • Tea Bag — 21 ppm total fluorine
• Hampstead Organic Earl Grey Tea Biodynamic Black Tea — <MRL PFBA.
• Choice Organics Black Tea Earl Grey — <MRL PFBA

Better Chamomile

These products were sent off to an EPA-certified laboratory. The tea leaves were tested for 40 PFAS analytes and each product had positive results, however, the results were so small they were not quantifiable. The tea bags were tested for fluorine, a marker of PFAS “forever chemicals.” We also included one brand that did not have detectable PFAS, but had detectable fluorine in their tea bags.

• The Republic of Tea Super Herb Tea Organic Egyptian Chamomile — Tea Leaves: <MRL PFBA, Tea Bag: Non-Detect total fluoride.
• STASH Chamomile Caffeine-Free Herbal Tea — Tea Leaves: <MRL PFBA, Tea Bag: 16 ppm total fluorine
• Twinings Pure Camomile Pure Herbal Tea — Tea Leaves: <MRL 6:2FTS, Tea Bag: Non-detect total fluorine
• Yogi Comforting Chamomile Soothes Mild Tension Tea — Tea Leaves: Non-Detect PFAS, Tea Bag: 10 ppm total fluorine

Better Green Tea

These products were sent off to an EPA-certified laboratory. The tea leaves were tested for 40 PFAS analytes and each product had positive results, however, the results were so small they were not quantifiable.

• Bigelow Green Tea Certified Organic — Tea Leaves: PFNA <MRL
• Twinings Green Tea Jasmine — Tea Leaves: 6:2FTS <MRL, ADONA <MRL

Best Teas

Best Earl Grey

Our lab determined no PFAS compounds were found in the Earl Grey tea leaves. However, the tea bags had detectable fluorine.

• Five Mountains Wu-Shan San Francisco Bergamot Black Organic Earl Grey Tea — Non-detect
• FGO Organic Earl Grey Loose Leaf Tea Plant-Based Full-Bodied Flavor with a Touch of Bergamot — Non-detect
• Rishi USDA Organic Earl Grey Loose Leaf Tea — Non-detect (Use discount code “MAMAVATION15” for 15% off products!)
• Thrive Market Organic Earl Grey Black Tea — Non-detect

Best Chamomile

These products were sent off to an EPA-certified laboratory. The tea leaves were tested for 40 PFAS analytes and each product had non-detect results. The tea bags were tested for fluorine, a marker of PFAS “forever chemicals,” and also had non-detect results.

• Celestial Seasonings Chamomile Herbal Tea — Tea Leaves: Non-detect PFAS, Tea Bag: Non-detect total fluorine
• From Great Origins (FGO) Organic Chamomile Tea Bags — Tea Leaves: Non-detect PFAS, Tea Bag: Non-detect total fluorine
• RISHI Loose Leaf Chamomile Medley Organic Botanical Blend Tea Sachet — Tea Leaves: Non-detect PFAS, Tea Bag: Non-detect total fluorine (Use discount code “MAMAVATION15” for 15% off products!) (Loose Leaf)
• Taylors of Harrogate Organic Chamomile Caffeine-Free Herbal Infusion Tea — Tea Leaves: Non-detect PFAS, Tea Bag: Non-detect total fluorine
• TAZO Organic Calm Chamomile Herbal Tea — Tea Leaves: Non-detect PFAS, Tea Bag: Non-detect total fluorine

Best Green Tea

These products were sent off to an EPA-certified laboratory. The tea leaves were tested for 40 PFAS analytes and each product had non-detect results.

• From Great Origins (FGO) Organic Green Tea Bags — Tea Leaves: Non-detect PFAS (Purchase loose leaf version here)
• Harney & Sons Nourishing Green Tea Japanese Sencha — Tea Leaves: Non-detect PFAS (Purchase loose leaf version here)
• Numi Organic Green Tea Gunpowder Green Full-Bodied and Gently Rolled — Tea Leaves: Non-detect PFAS (Purchase whole leaf version here)
• Pukka Spreme Matcha Green Daily Power — Tea Leaves: Non-detect PFAS
• Rishi Loose Leaf Jasmine Organic Scented Green Tea Sencha — Tea Leaves: Non-detect PFAS (Use discount code “MAMAVATION15” for 15% off products!) (Loose leaf version) 
• TAZO Organic Zen Regenerative Green Tea — Tea Leaves: Non-detect PFAS

The post Teas Tested for PFAS “Forever Chemicals” — Compilation Guide appeared first on MAMAVATION.

Disclosure: Scientific review was performed by Dr. Craig Downs, Executive Director of Haereticus Environmental Laboratory. Donations were provided by Environmental Health News and Mamavation community members. Note that Mamavation has only “spot-checked” the industry and thus we cannot make predictions about brands and products that we have not tested. Products and manufacturing aides can change without notice so buyer beware. This post contains affiliate links, with some to Amazon, which means Mamavation will receive a portion of those sales and we will use that to pay ourselves back for the testing. You can also give a tax-deductible donation to our consumer studies here through Environmental Health Sciences. Thank you!  

Mamavation’s Laboratory Finds PFAS-laden Pesticides in Driscoll’s Strawberries

Mamavation sent two boxes of Driscoll’s strawberries from a grocery store in Southern California to our EPA-certified laboratory, requesting testing for 500+ pesticides on Monday, May 4th, 2026. The results were a bit shocking. According to our laboratory, Driscoll’s conventional strawberries contained residues of 12 different pesticides at levels prohibited in the European Union, Taiwan, Chile, Korea & Russia. 8 of those pesticides are considered PFAS “forever chemicals,” meaning they are extremely persistent and highly toxic. These pesticides are also known as “forever pesticides.”

Driscoll’s Conventional Strawberries — 12 pesticides found

PFAS-Laden Pesticides (aka “Forever Pesticides”) Found on Driscoll’s Conventional Strawberries

• Flonicamid (sum): 32 ppb
• Fludioxonil: 60 ppb
• Flupyradifurone: 27 ppb
• Fluxapyroxad: 26 ppb (limit also exceeds Russian standards)
• Indoxacarb: 25 ppb (limits also exceed EU, Taiwan & Chile standards)
• Novaluron: 19 ppb (limits also exceed EU standards)
• Tetraconazole: 13 ppb
• TFNG: 35 ppb

Other Types of Pesticides Found on Driscoll’s Conventional Strawberries

• Cyprodinil: 125 ppb
• Pyrimethanil: 310 ppb
• Quinoxyfen: 45 ppb (limit also exceeds Korean standards)
• Tetrahydrophthalimide (THPI): 302 ppb

Driscoll’s USDA Organic Strawberries

• Non-detect

(Note: Over 500+ pesticides were tested for organic strawberries, including pesticides approved for organic use.)

Dr. Craig Downs, Executive Director of Haereticus Environmental Laboratory, had this to say after his review: “Fluorinated pesticides are a growing source of PFAS contamination in the environment and on and in our foods. There is debate with the U.S. EPA if single fluorinated pesticides are truly Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), but many of the fluorinated pesticides’ metabolites are long-lived to the point they are considered “Forever Chemicals.” These fluorinated pesticides also act like PFAS because they will accumulate in our bodies over the long-term, are associated with cancer risks, reproductive diseases, developmental diseases in children, and cause immune suppression. It would be smart to try to completely avoid being exposed to them.”

Recommendations From Mamavation Advisors

Mamavation advisors recommend you stick to organic strawberries if you want to lower the amount of pesticides and PFAS you consume when purchasing produce. 37% of non-organic produce samples tested by the State of California had traces of PFAS pesticides.

If you are concerned about the pollution caused by nearby pesticide use, the best thing you can do is purchase a water filter for your kitchen tap and an air purifier for your home. You can control what happens inside your home far more than outside your home.

Here’s our recommended water filter brands based on PFAS filtering: 

• AQUA TRU Countertop Water Filtration Reverse Osmosis — This link will automatically deduct $100 from the unit price at checkout.
• Clearly Filtered Water Filter with Affinity Filtration Technology — This link will deduct 10% off the purchase. (They also have a refrigerator filter!)

Here’s our recommended air purifiers: 

• Air Doctor (This link will save you a ton of money!)
• Air Oasis iAdapt Air 2.0
• Austin Air Healthmate Plus Air Purifier
• IQ Air GC Multi-Gas Air Purifier

PFAS “Forever Chemicals” Have Problematic Health Effects

PFAS “forever chemicals” are problematic for human health and the environment. They are considered ubiquitous, persistent, and toxic. Many of these PFAS chemicals can last for years or decades in our bodies. Therefore, it’s imperative to reduce the amount of PFAS you are exposed to from food, water, and consumer products. Mamavation is dedicated to helping you do that when you are shopping for strawberries.

Here are some of the health effects of different PFAS “forever chemicals.”

• Reduction in immunity
• Reduced vaccination response
• Increased risk of allergies & asthma in young children
• Affected growth, learning, and behavior of infants and older children
• Increase cholesterol levels
• Metabolic diseases like obesity & diabetes
• Cardiovascular disease
• Lowered a woman’s chance of getting pregnant
• Lowered male fertility
• Increased risk of kidney & testicular cancers
• Causes endocrine disruption
• Disrupted normal thyroid function
• Increases risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children 

It’s also very clear based on biomonitoring evidence from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) that PFAS are in all Americans. Therefore, these exposures can harm most Americans.

EWG Finds 14 Million lbs. of PFAS “Forever Chemicals” Sprayed on Non-Organic Farmland in California

California produce has a PFAS “forever chemical” problem. Researchers at The Environmental Working Group (EWG) combed through official data from California’s Department of Pesticide Regulation to ascertain how many millions of pounds of pesticides were sprayed on crops in California. After studying all the pesticides, including herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides, which are widely used in the state’s most productive farmland, they were able to create an interactive map.

EWG then reviewed data from the California Pesticide Residue Monitoring Report to find which produce was most affected by PFAS contamination according to California’s own testing. They found that almost 40% of non-organic fruits and vegetables grown in California were contaminated with PFAS.

Strawberries are just an example of this problem. In fact, strawberries contained 10 individual PFAS pesticides, more variety than any other crop. We found 8 of them in our own testing, which has just been released.

California Legislation to Ban PFAS in Pesticides Needs Your Attention

Right now, the California Assembly’s leadership will decide if AB 1603, a bill that bans PFAS in pesticides, will move forward. This bill will put a stop to the dumping of PFAS pesticides on crops and fields and reduce PFAS contamination of California-grown produce, such as strawberries.

How You Can Help

The full California Assembly needs to hear about your support of AB 1603 in order to pass this important piece of legislation this year.

All California assemblymembers need to receive phone calls ASAP, urging them to support AB 1603 and end PFAS use in pesticides for good!

So please contact your Assemblymember and urge them to support AB 1603 and end PFAS pesticides.

You can find your Assemblymember here.

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