Pesticides

Why Pesticide Testing Matters

Pesticides are a major potential contaminant in dietary supplements—especially those made with botanical or plant-derived ingredients. To ensure product safety and regulatory compliance, manufacturers must assess whether their raw materials are at risk of containing pesticide residues.

A proper risk assessment should consider:

• Botanical origin of ingredients

• Agricultural and harvesting practices

• Geographic and supplier-specific risks

• Extraction processes that may concentrate pesticides

Botanicals are far more likely to encounter pesticide exposure than synthetic or highly refined materials. Furthermore, extraction processes can co-extract or even concentrate pesticide residues, increasing the importance of thorough screening.

When Testing Is Required

If your risk assessment indicates a potential for contamination, several regulatory bodies provide validated methods and guidelines:

United States Pharmacopeia (USP)

• USP <561> — Articles of Botanical Origin
  Provides procedures and limits for testing botanical ingredients for pesticide residues.

European Pharmacopoeia (EP)

• EP 2.8.13 — Pesticide Residues
  Outlines analytical techniques, sample preparation, and required detection capabilities.

Canadian Guidance

• Quality of Natural Health Products Guidelines
  Offers direction on when pesticide testing should be considered for Natural Health Products (NHPs).

Cannabis Regulations

• Many U.S. states require pesticide testing for dry cannabis flower.

• In Canada, pesticide testing is mandatory for each batch of:

  • Fresh cannabis

  • Dry cannabis flower

  • Cannabis oils and extracts
    Different regulatory limits apply based on product type.

How Pesticide Analysis Is Performed

Pesticide testing typically uses advanced analytical technology capable of detecting minute levels of contaminants. Common platforms include:

• High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)

• Gas Chromatography (GC)

• Often paired with mass spectrometry for precise identification and quantification.

These methods must be executed by qualified analysts using validated procedures in accredited laboratories, such as Unicorn Analyticals.

Understanding Your Certificate of Analysis (CoA)

A complete pesticide test report should include:

• The full list of pesticides analyzed

• The limit of quantitation (LOQ) for each compound

• Confirmation that all compounds are below regulatory limits—or whether any were detected

This transparency ensures manufacturers and regulators can evaluate product safety with confidence.

Partner With Unicorn Analyticals

Unicorn Analyticals provides reliable pesticide testing services for:

• Dietary supplements

• Botanical ingredients and extracts

• Natural health products

• Cannabis and hemp products

• Other plant-derived materials

Our laboratory uses state-of-the-art instrumentation, validated methods, and strict quality standards to ensure accurate, defensible results.

Need Pesticide Testing?

Whether you’re verifying raw materials, finished products, or cannabis batches, we’re here to help.

Contact Unicorn Analyticals today to discuss your testing needs or request a custom quote.