How to Read a Shilajit Lab Test Report
A Certificate of Analysis looks intimidating if you do not know what you are looking at. Rows of numbers, abbreviations, and lab jargon do not exactly invite a relaxed read. Here is a practical guide to reading one, so you can actually judge whether a report supports a seller's claims, rather than simply trusting that the words "lab tested" mean something on their own.
In this article
Key takeaways
- A real report names a specific, checkable lab and a specific batch number. Without both, it is close to meaningless.
- "ND" means below the detection limit, not proven zero. A responsible report states that limit.
- Composition (fulvic and humic acid) and safety (heavy metals, microbiology) are different questions. A complete report answers both.
Anatomy of a Certificate of Analysis
The layout below is a generic, illustrative example built to show where each piece of information typically sits on a real report, not a reproduction of any specific document. Use it as a map for reading an actual Certificate of Analysis.
The basics every real report should show
- The testing laboratory's name and accreditation. A real report names a specific, checkable lab. If you cannot find that lab independently, ideally with a working website, a real address and a recognised accreditation, be cautious.
- A specific batch number and test date. A report not tied to a specific, identifiable batch is close to meaningless, since composition and contaminant levels can vary between batches of a naturally sourced product.
- Named test methods. Heavy metal testing should name a method, commonly ICP-MS or similar spectrometry. A report with numbers but no stated method is harder to independently verify.
Understanding the units: mg per kg, ppm, and what they mean
Heavy metal results are typically reported in milligrams per kilogram or parts per million. These are the same unit expressed two ways, since one milligram per kilogram equals one part per million. A number on its own means very little without knowing the relevant safety limit for that substance, so a report that states a result but not the applicable limit it is being measured against is genuinely incomplete.
What "ND" actually means
ND stands for not detected, and it does not mean zero in an absolute sense. It means the amount present, if any, is below the laboratory's detection limit, the smallest quantity the test method can reliably measure. A responsible report states that detection limit alongside an ND result. This is a genuinely useful bit of literacy: not detected is an honest, precise statement about test sensitivity, not a claim of total absence.
Composition figures: fulvic acid and humic acid content
These are usually reported as a percentage of the sample. A higher fulvic acid percentage is often marketed as more potent, but composition alone does not tell you about safety. A high fulvic acid reading on a product with no heavy metal testing tells you nothing about whether it is safe. Composition and contaminant testing answer different questions, and a complete report addresses both.
Microbiological testing
This matters for any naturally collected product. Total plate count, yeast and mould, and pathogen screening for things like E. coli and Salmonella confirm the product is not microbially contaminated. As with heavy metals, look for named methods and stated limits, not just a pass or fail assertion.
A worked example: ShilNepal's Batch 1093
ShilNepal's current batch is tested by Eurofins Food Australia, an independent laboratory. The published report for Batch 1093 confirms heavy metals within accepted safety limits and a composition of 79 to 81 per cent fulvic acid and 17 to 19 per cent humic acid. Reading it the way this guide describes, it names the lab, which it does, it is tied to a specific batch, Batch 1093, and it states results against defined parameters rather than simply asserting "lab tested" as a claim on faith. The full report is published for exactly this reason.
A practical checklist
- Is the lab named and independently checkable?
- Is the report tied to a specific batch number and test date, not a generic, undated claim?
- Are units and test methods stated, not just bare numbers?
- Does the report cover both composition, fulvic and humic acid, and safety, heavy metals and microbiology, rather than just one?
FAQ
What does "ND" mean on a lab report?
Not detected. The substance, if present at all, is below the test's detection limit. It is not the same as a guarantee of zero content.
Is a high fulvic acid percentage the most important number?
No. Composition and safety, meaning heavy metals and microbiology, are separate questions, and a complete evaluation checks both.
How often should a product be tested?
Ideally every batch, since a naturally sourced product can vary between batches. A report not tied to a specific batch number is much less meaningful.
Can I verify a lab report myself?
Check that the testing lab is real and independently findable, that the report states units and methods, and that it is tied to a specific, current batch.
