Chart Comparing the Toxicant Profiles of Popular Matcha Products Tested by an Independent, Third-Party Lab in 2024-2025

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Quick Note from Tamara Rubin:

The above graphic is a chart comparing the toxicant profiles of popular matchas and matcha-flavored products that we tested through the community collaborative (community directed and funded), independent, third-party, laboratory testing Lead Safe Mama, LLC is coordinating. To learn more about Lead Safe Mama, LLC’s business model, click here. To see the specific lab reports for each of the matcha products we have tested to date, click here (the lab report is at the bottom of the article for each specific product). We will be publishing an overview article discussing this data in detail shortly. 

Each of the product names below is a link to the article with the lab report for the product mentioned (unless otherwise noted):

  1. Kachava Superblend Matcha Shake

  2. Bryan Johnson BLUEPRINT Matcha 

  3. Encha Organic Ceremonial Matcha

  4. Pique Organic Sun Goddess Matcha

  5. Matchaful Kiwami Super Ceremonial

  6. Matcha.com Organic Superior Matcha

  7. Jade Leaf Organic Ceremonial Matcha

  8. DO Organic Ceremonial Matcha 
  9. Sencha Organic Matcha (Costco) – Not yet published

Please check out our open/ not-yet-funded campaigns on GoFundMe if you would like to support some of our additional independent, crowd-funded, third-party laboratory testing. Thank you!


For those new to the Lead Safe Mama website:

Tamara Rubin is a multiple-federal-award-winning independent advocate for childhood Lead poisoning prevention and consumer goods safety, and a documentary filmmaker. She is also a mother of Lead-poisoned children (two of her four sons were acutely Lead-poisoned in 2005).


This is an ad-free article.

Advertising and affiliate income help Lead Safe Mama, LLC cover the costs of the work we do here (independent consumer goods testing and childhood Lead poisoning prevention advocacy). We have removed ads from most of our more widely-read articles (and newly published articles, too — like this one!) to make them easier for you to read. In addition to supporting this work by starting any shopping you might be doing with a click on our affiliate links, if you would like to support the independent consumer goods testing and childhood Lead poisoning prevention advocacy work of Lead Safe Mama, LLC by making a contribution (which will also help us keep our more widely-read articles ad-free), click here. Thank you!



Below is an EXPANDING list of products (foods, supplements, and cosmetics) that have tested “non-detect” for Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, and Arsenic with independent, third-party, community-funded laboratory testing coordinated by Lead Safe Mama, LLC (an Oregon-based small business with a unique community-collaborative business model and a focus on consumer goods safety and childhood Lead poisoning prevention). These examples clearly demonstrate that it is possible to manufacture safer choices. We have not yet found a safer choice for a matcha product, although there is a safer choice for a green tea product in the list below.

The limits of detection (low-threshold of detection) for each of the metals tested can be found in the lab report for the specific product listed. To see the full  original lab report for any of these products, type the brand name into the search bar at the top of any page on Lead Safe Mama dot com (and scroll down to the bottom of the related article). All of these lab reports can also be found linked on our lab-testing landing page – here.

Flavors tested are noted, and other flavors of the same product (or other products from the same brand) have either not been tested or have been tested but did not yield similar results. Test results only apply to the specific products linked below.


LIST UPDATED March 30, 2025 — Now at 62 products + six “bonus” options… Scroll down to see them all:

  1. Baby Food — 1 — Little Spoon Kale, Carrot + Pear BabyBlends
  2. Baby Food — 2 —Little Spoon Butternut Squash + Blueberry BabyBlends
  3. Baby Food — 3 — Little Spoon Sweet Potato BabyBlends
  4. Baby Food — 4 — Little Spoon Sweet Potato + Carrot BabyBlends
  5. Baby Food — 5 — Little Spoon Banana + Pitaya BabyBlends
  6. Beverage — 1 — Honest Kids Organic Appley Ever After Apple Juice Drink: https://amzn.to/4fjGhov
  7. Beverage — 2 —  Olipop Grape Tonic: https://amzn.to/4cjFYZu
  8. Breakfast Item — 1 — Nature’s Path Envirokidz Organic Panda Puffs: https://amzn.to/4fo1crf
  9. Breakfast Item — 2 — Nature’s Path Envirokidz Organic Corn Puffs Gorilla Munch: https://amzn.to/3FHZCDO
  10. Breakfast Item — 3 — One Degree Organic, Gluten-Free, Sprouted Rolled Oats (Canada): https://amzn.to/3WIQ1BN
  11. Candy — 1 — Lindt White Chocolate Bar (Made in USA, New Hampshire): https://amzn.to/3OXkyIm
  12. Candy — 2 — Cavendish & Harvey Wild Berry Drops, not organic (Germany): https://amzn.to/3Z1Jxjr
  13. Coffee & Tea — 1 — Chameleon Handcrafted Organic Cold Brew Concentrate: https://amzn.to/3OcrH77
  14. Coffee & Tea — 2 — Tao of Tea Organic Genmaicha (Tamara’s favorite, from Japan, sold by a Portland, Oregon-based company!): https://amzn.to/3Dp8Fsd
  15. Coffee & Tea — 3 — Califia Farms Almond Latte Cold Brew (XX Espresso): https://amzn.to/4gTTGoJ
  16. Coffee & Tea — 4 — Death Wish Organic Espresso Roast Ground Coffee (Multi-country origin, non-USA): https://amzn.to/3yo1eiL  
  17. Coffee Creamer — Plant-Based  — 1 Laird Superfood Coconut Creamer: https://amzn.to/4fItA7A
  18. Coffee Creamer — Dairy — 2  Organic Valley Grassmilk Half and Half: https://amzn.to/4fHJIWT
  19. Dairy, Cheese – Babybel Mini Original Snack Cheese: https://amzn.to/3ZY5noO
  20. Fruit Snack — 1 — GoGo Squeez Organic Apple Sauce Pouch: https://amzn.to/3XhWYLe
  21. Fruit Snack — 2 — Costco’s Kirkland Organic Apple Sauce Pouch: https://amzn.to/4gOYpZ9
  22. Fruit Snack — 3 — Pure Organic Layered Fruit Bars in Strawberry Banana Flavor: https://amzn.to/3WQEekA
  23. Fruit Snack — 4 — Once Upon A Farm Dairy Free Fruit Smoothie Pouch in Strawberry Banana Swirl Flavor: https://amzn.to/3CPMbAw
  24. Fruit Snack — 5 — Pure Organic Layered Fruit Bars in Raspberry Lemonade Flavor: https://amzn.to/3XcFsIp
  25. Infant Formula — 1 — Bobbie Organic Gentle Infant Formula Milk-Based Powder with Iron (pink and white can): https://amzn.to/3YYb849 
  26. Infant Formula — 2 — Bobbie Organic Infant Formula Milk-Based Powder with Iron (green and white can): https://amzn.to/3VOr4Vy
  27. Infant Formula — 3 — Bobbie Grass-Fed Milk-Based Powder with Iron (green can): https://amzn.to/3ZlAaeJ
  28. Infant Formula — 4 — ByHeart Infant Formula (USA-made, not organic): https://amzn.to/48DJjTb
  29. Infant Formula — 5 — HiPP Bio Combiotik Infant Formula Powder, Stage 1 (imported)
  30. Infant Formula — 6 — HiPP HA Stage PRE (0+ Months) Combiotic Formula  (imported)
  31. Infant Formula — 7 — Holle Bio Goat Stage 2 Infant Formula (for 6-10 months, organic, European — Swiss/ German/ Austrian) is not available on Amazon, but the Stage 3 version of this product is (not yet tested, but will likely test similarly): https://amzn.to/3BVU7zI
  32. Infant Formula — 8 — Kendamil Goat Infant Formula (not organic): This product may be available at Target (it is not available on Amazon)
  33. Infant Formula — 9 — Kendamil Organic Follow-On Milk (European/ British Toddler Formula, for 6-12 months, Cow Milk): Not available on Amazon (report link)
  34. Infant Formula — 10 — Kendamil Whole Milk Infant Formula (from Europe, pink can, not organic), available at Target
  35. Infant Formula — 11 — Kendamil Organic Infant Formula (Cow Milk): Not available on Amazon but may be available at Target
  36. Ingredient — 1 — (salt) — Jacobsen’s Sea Salt (Oregon, USA): https://amzn.to/4dcbk5L
  37. NEW! Ingredient — 2 — (salt) — Maldon Sea Salt Flakes**: https://amzn.to/4iTzWTE
  38. Ingredient — 3 — (baking flour) — Jovial Organic Einkorn Flour (Italy): https://amzn.to/3LIqxix 
  39. Ingredient — 4 — (seeds) — Costco Kirkland Organic Hemp Seeds: https://amzn.to/4e05RP9
  40. Ingredient — 5 — (seeds) — Navitas Organic, Gluten-Free Chia Seeds (Mexico): https://amzn.to/3YvE7xC
  41. Ingredient — 6 — (vinegar) — Napa Valley Naturals Organic Red Wine Vinegar (California): https://amzn.to/4jWhHOg
  42. Ingredient — 7 — (beans) — Jovial Organic Chickpeas, Product of Italy: https://amzn.to/4iRON1l
  43. Ingredient — 8 — (sugar) — Anthony’s Organic Granulated Cane Sugar: https://amzn.to/4jf6vLv
  44. Oil — 1 — Chosen Foods 100% Avocado Oil (not organic): https://amzn.to/3YDZSuv
  45. Oil — 2 — Dr. Adorable’s Organic Perilla Seed Oil (Korea): https://amzn.to/3NDt7Yc
  46. Oil — 3 — Dr. Bronner’s Regenerative Organic Coconut Oil: https://amzn.to/40xwBmv
  47. Plant-Based Milk — 1 — Kiki Milk Organic Plant-Based Milk (original flavor): https://amzn.to/3AA6Qrt
  48. Plant-Based Milk — 2 — West Soy Unflavored Unsweetened Organic Soy Milk: https://amzn.to/4dwev8l
  49. Supplement — 1 — Baby Ddrops, Organic Vitamin D3 Supplement for Babies: https://amzn.to/49C3ktH
  50. Supplement — 2 — Doctor’s Best Vitamin C with Q-C: https://amzn.to/4hlVvea
  51. Supplement — 3 — Mary Ruth’s Organic Toddler Multivitamin Liquid Drops with Iron: https://amzn.to/3YPhcgx
  52. Supplement — 4 — Mary Ruth’s Organic Toddler Elderberry Liquid Drops: https://amzn.to/42617TU
  53. Supplement — 5  — Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Fish Oil: https://amzn.to/48q1j2V
  54. Supplement — 6 — Nordic Naturals Kids Vitamin D3 Gummies (Ages 3+): https://amzn.to/4l7117a
  55. Supplement — 7 — Pectasol Modified Citrus Pectin, Formulated in the USA: https://amzn.to/3QUmZfN
  56. Supplement — 8 — Pendulum Metabolic Daily Dietary Supplement: https://amzn.to/4gY5wOm
  57. Cosmetic — 1 — Kora Organics Noni Face Oil: https://amzn.to/43hy2XO
  58. Cosmetic —  2 — Fluoride-free Toothpaste! — Orajel Kids Training Toothpaste in Natural Berry Fruity Flavor, Elmo Sesame Street Packaging, Fluoride-free: https://amzn.to/41wxtrY
  59. Cosmetic —  3 — Fluoride-free Toothpaste! —  Miessence Mint Toothpaste: https://amzn.to/4bJc4PO
  60. Cosmetic —  4 — Fluoride-free Toothpaste! — Dr. Brown’s Fluoride-free Baby Toothpaste in Strawberry Flavor: https://amzn.to/3DCehzZ
  61. Cosmetic —  5 — Low-Fluoride Toothpaste! —  Pegciz Kids Foam Toothpaste in Watermelon Flavor: https://amzn.to/3RgKEXV
  62. Cosmetic —  6 — Fluoride-free Toothpaste! — Kid’s Spry Tooth Gel with Xylitol in Original Flavor: https://amzn.to/41GZb4e


**Lab reports pending/ Not yet published as of 4/8/2025 Tuesday

Here’s a link to the third-party lab reports for all the foods, supplements, and cosmetic products we have tested, including those listed above: https://tamararubin.com/2024/05/food-articles/


Stand by for more!

BONUS SIX: Below are SIX additional products that each tested positive for trace (very low levels of) Arsenic  at levels considered safe by all standards (with the limits of detection noted in the lab report for the specific product listed):

  1. NEW! Ingredient — Maseca Instant Corn Masa Flour, Product of Mexico (positive for traces of Arsenic)https://amzn.to/4iR8qWN
  2. Infant Formula — Kendamil Goat Toddler Milk, not organic (positive for traces of Arsenic): May be available at Target or through other online retailers of European infant formulas
  3. Fruit Snack — That’s It Apple Cherry Bars, not organic (positive for traces of Arsenic): https://amzn.to/4fHkSWV
  4. Oil — Chosen Foods 100% Pure Avocado oil, organic (postive for traces of Arsenic): https://amzn.to/3BVQYQa
  5. Supplement — Now Sunflower Lecithin, not organic (positive for traces of Arsenic): https://amzn.to/3AFdHzO
  6. Supplement — WishGarden Immune Boost Seasonal Rescue for Pregnancy: https://amzn.to/3Cd940N

Amazon links are affiliate links. 


Updated: April 8, 2025
Tuesday

Key Points to Consider:

  • There are almost no reasonable safety limits proposed for toxicant contamination (heavy metal contamination specifically) of foods and supplements consumed by adults (or by the general population) in the United States.
  • Any available proposed safety thresholds (and guidance) for foods and supplements consumed by adults are not currently set at levels that are protective of human health, given practical/ actual consumption patterns of foods (vs. manufacturer-defined serving sizes).
    • The above point is especially important given children (and pregnant women) eat all foods, not just foods marketed for consumption by children (for example: Find me a pre-teen that won’t go through an entire 5-ounce/ 5-serving bag of potato chips in one sitting)!
  • Our focus is (as always) on the health of children.
  • By applying the standards proposed by the Baby Food Safety Act of 2021 to all foods and supplements, we are working more in line with standards that protect human health (for all!) given all scientific and medical experts agree there is no safe level of Lead exposure for human beings. Those Action Levels are:
    • 5 ppb Lead
    • 5 ppb Cadmium
    • 2 ppb Mercury
    • 10 ppb Arsenic
  • Said another way: You would never be eating a snack chip out of a bag and say to your 5-year-old child “this product is only marketed for consumption by adults, so you cannot eat it.” That would be ridiculous. Kids eat what we eat (and products consumed by pregnant women impact their developing babies), so everything that goes into our bodies in an attempt to nourish us and support our health and well being should be appropriate for any age consumer (not just a demographic designated by the manufacturer based on irrelevant age group-related toxicity standards for a specific product or ingredient).
  • Remember: There is no safe level of Lead exposure for human beings. Period.
    • This is a non-negotiable point that everyone in the scientific and medical community — everyone who researches Lead poisoning — agrees with.

Amazon links are affiliate links. If you purchase something after clicking on a Lead Safe Mama, LLC Amazon affiliate link, Lead Safe Mama, LLC may receive a percentage of what you spend at no extra cost to you.

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11 Comments

  1. Hello Tamara and team!

    I would like to know where I can inquire about starting laboratory research on several products from USA brands that claim to offer very clean products. I am particularly interested in widely advertised products such as coffee, tea, and chocolate. Additionally, I have already donated to support the testing.

    Coffee: https://puritycoffee.com/collections/whole-bean-coffee/products/original-roast-whole-bean-coffee
    Tea: https://rishi-tea.com/products/organic-sencha-organic-teabag-sachets?variant=44376701075706
    Chocolate: https://mastmarket.com/products/organic-dark-chocolate-70-cacao

    Vita K.

  2. Hi Tamara!
    I see you recommend The Tao of Tea loose leaf green tea. Would you recommend their powered Matcha or planning on testing that? I cancelled my Pique subscription thanks to your testing ❤️ Thank you so so much for the work you do!

  3. Hello, do you happen to have any information on Ippodo Japan’s matcha? They have put the label for California’s Prop 65 warning due to there being too many things to test for but they do perform random lead testing as per the Japanese limitations.

  4. Hi there, I noticed on your matcha chart that product C on the list says “Enchanted” match. Is that the same as Encha brand? (The picture is too small on my phone to tell.). If it is Encha, what type (Latte or Ceremonial)? Thanks.

  5. Hi Tamara, I don’t know if you noticed but Bryan Johnson posted the CoA for his matcha and it does not pass your standards (170ppb in lead plus positive for the other 3 metals). Further, there are an extremely high level of phtalates in his product based on the published CoA. It may not be worth testing his product given that he posted the CoA already which looks bad. It may be better to repurpose that money ($580 raised already) towards another product. Mark Hyman touted Sun Goddess from Pique as clean but it looks like you’ve already tested that one. Unfortunately, even if you find a heavy metal clean matcha, I am worried about the level of phtalates observed in Bryan Johnson’s matcha… so I don’t have any other brands to recommend.

    1. Posting an update: Bryan Johnson’s matcha is now free of phtalates/PFAS per his new COA (I wonder if they listened to their customers complaining and fixed the issue with plastics). Still positive for lead though but let’s see if he improves on that with his next batches – I will be bugging them for sure (As and Cd in his matcha are not significant given the 2g serving size, a tiny fraction of what we ingest daily from our “healthy” US whole foods.

  6. Actually Hyman touted yet another matcha today Autonomy – Smart Matcha Late so that could be a good replacement for Johnson’s (btw everything that he sells is high in heavy metals but he still posts the CoAs and sells!! ugh I made a mistake of buying some of his stuff without going through the CoAs in details. What is worse, some of his vitamins don’t actually have what they claim they have as ingredients (e.g. Multivitamin is missing B12 and biotin per CoA even though it’s supposed to have it…)

  7. Hi folks,
    The Grocery Outlet chain sells a line of products from a company called Sweet Heart Group Ltd.
    Products such as Matcha, various mushrooom extracts, vegetable extracts, etc.
    We were pleased to see these products and happy to be able to buy them at very reasonable prices.
    However, there has been talk on Reddit about a CA Prop 65 suit brought to the company about some of their products containing lead, and now there is a Prop 65 warning on the packaging about potential lead dangers.
    We would love to know how much lead and other carcinogens are actually in these products form the Sweet Heart Group. Prop 65 has apparently been used irresponsibly and many companies have complained about how this law is applied to products.
    Thanks for the great work you do,
    Shaun

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