Testing Dr. Bronner’s Organic Whole Kernel Virgin Coconut Oil for Lead, Cadmium, Mercury, and Arsenic with Independent, Third-Party Laboratory Analysis

ByTamara Posted:
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Published: September 16, 2025
A Quick Note from Tamara Rubin:

This product — the Dr. Bronner’s Regenerative Organic Certified Whole Kernel Coconut Oil (with the mostly brown label) — tested CLEAN with independent, third-party, laboratory testing. Specifically, when we sent this product in for heavy metals testing, the lab report came back with “non-detect” results for Lead, Cadmium, Mercury, and Arsenic (with the low thresholds of detection noted in the shareable social media graphic below, just before the full original lab report – which is at the very bottom of this article).

As this product came back with “non-detect” results for the four heavy metals we test for, we made it one of the new additions to our “Lab-Tested Safer Choices List” as soon as we received the report back from the lab. This list (last updated as of this month – September 2025) can be found in its entirety below — please scroll down. We now have 96 products featured on our lab-tested safer choices list, including this new Coconut Oil product! Here is the link to purchase this product on Amazon if you are so inclined (you may be able to find it for less at your local store, or direct from the manufacturer’s website): https://amzn.to/3UWrKYq

I do want to highlight here that not all products from this brand have tested clean. You can find all of the Dr. Bronner’s products that we have tested and reported on to date by clicking this link.

Who paid to cover the costs for testing and reporting on this product?

We did not launch a campaign to help cover the costs of testing and reporting on this product,  

We chose to test it without a campaign as we had previously tested a slightly different version of this product from this same brand (the Dr. Bronner’s White Kernel Organic Coconut Oil), and many Lead Safe Mama Community Members told us they were unable to find the “White Kernel” product in stores — and frankly we are not 100% certain it is not a re-packaging of the same product, with slightly different language (it’s confusing, at best!)

If you have a better understanding of the distinctions between these two products (Whole Kernel vs. White Kernel Organic Coconut Oil from Dr. Bronner’s), please do share this information with us in a comment below (here at the bottom of this article). Thank you in advance.

We specifically chose to test this product because the White Kernel product was going to be up for re-testing soon (it was tested in January of 2025), and we thought it made more sense to do this “re-test” on a more widely available version of a very similar (and possibly repackaged and same) product with the same ingredient profile from the same brand. Luckily it also tested clean – just as the White Kernel product had back in January (so now both are on our list until we can sort out the distinction!) We have not yet tested other brands of coconut oil, but look forward to doing so!

The fact that the testing and reporting for this product was not funded is just one data point contributing to our current operating deficit carried over from the summer — which is (as of today – September 15, 2025) hovering at about $10,000.oo.

If you appreciate these test results (including our re-tests of previously tested products that made it to our safer choices list!) and would like to help us cover the costs of testing and reporting for this and/or other Lead Safe Mama community-nominated products that have not yet funded (or for which we have not launched dedicated campaigns), please consider contributing via our general GoFundMe campaign (here). You may also consider joining us on Patreon (details are below) with a small monthly gift in support of the Lead Safe Mama, LLC Community-Collaborative Laboratory Testing Initiative. To see links to many of our other not-yet-funded campaigns for testing and reporting, click this link.

Thank you.

How YOU can support the Lead Safe Mama, LLC Community-Collaborative Laboratory Testing Initiative: 

To both directly support this initiative and to be among the first to see our new lab reports when they are published, please subscribe to our Patreon Channel. You can join us on Patreon for FREE or with a small monthly gift (of whatever you can afford) in support of the Lead Safe Mama, LLC Community-Collaborative Laboratory Testing Initiative.

Our average monthly gift from paid Patreon members as of the time of publishing this article is just about $2.57 each month. A total of 389(!) people contributing an average of about $2.57 a month adds up to just over $1,000.oo in combined monthly contributions, which helps us get more products tested quickly each month! So while a contribution of $2.50 or $3.oo a month may seem like a small amount, the small contributions add up to make a big difference.

Our next goal is to reach $3,000.oo a month in monthly contributions by the end of the day on December 31, 2025. Our stretch goal (to reach by the end of 2025 if possible) is to raise at least $5,000.oo a month through small monthly Patreon contributions in support of our lab testing initiative, as this amount will cover the base costs necessary to pay all the members of the Lead Safe Mama Team who help with this work (Carissa, Serina, Amy, Sarah, Heidi, Ainslie, and others too – all of whom work part-time from home — at their computers around the world: Massachusetts, California, Oregon, Washington  – and Thailand!— to help bring you the information we share!) To meet this goal, we need about 1,557 more people to sign up and contribute $2.57 a month or more on Patreon! Thank you for considering supporting our work in this way.

To date, through the Lead Safe Mama, LLC Community-Collaborative Laboratory Testing Initiative, we have identified 96 “Lab-Tested Safer Choices” across all product types we have tested (most of which are products that came back from the lab with “non-detect” results for all four heavy metals we test for — Lead, Cadmium, Mercury, and Arsenic — with the limits of detection noted on the lab report for each product). You can find the full list of lab-tested safer choices  below (please scroll down).  

Social Media Info-Graphic — Please Share!

For those new to the work of Lead Safe Mama, LLC

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.

We have removed ads from most of our more widely-read articles and new articles (like this one!) to make them easier for you to read. 

A “spacer graphic” like the one above can be found in each of our articles that include the Lead Safe Mama, LLC Lab-Tested Safer Choices List. The graphic differs depending on which version of the list is below it. The Leaf graphic above is our newest graphic spacer for the September 2025 update of this Lab-Tested Safer Choices List. If the graphic is different when you see this list in any article (a sun, rainbow, flower, heart, or shamrock), that means it is an earlier version of the Lab-Tested Safer Choices List. While the date of the list (and its last update) is included in the text below it, we also wanted to introduce the visual tool we use to identify the latest version of our lab-tested safer choices list. Lead Safe Mama team members strive to update the list with the current spacer graphic, indicating that the most recent list of safer choices is below. However, they may not have had a chance to update every copy yet. Please be patient! Thank you.

Are you interested in seeing MORE safer choices?

Below is an expanding list of products (foods, supplements, cosmetics, and personal care items, including sunscreens and toothpaste) that 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).

  • The product examples below clearly demonstrate that companies can manufacture safer choices (at least from the perspective of concerns for heavy metals contamination).
  • The limits of detection (low-threshold of detection) for each of the metals tested are noted in the lab report for each specific product.
    • To see the full, original lab report (and read the related article) for any of these products, type the brand name — or product 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. The original lab report can always be found at the very bottom of each related article. 
  • Most of our published lab reports are also linked here, on our lab testing landing page.
    • This landing page is updated weekly (most weeks) and is a good page to bookmark and check back on periodically if you want to check in for the latest test results.
  • Flavors (or specific variations) tested are noted in the list below (and on all of our related articles). Other variations 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 listed and linked below.
    • Test results are PRODUCT SPECIFIC, not BRAND SPECIFIC.
      • One should never assume that all products from a specific brand are clean just because a one or more products from that specific brand came back with clean test results.

Products on our “safer choices” list are retested periodically (annually or more frequently, as funding permits). If a product no longer tests clean (non-detect for all, or safe-by-all standards) with a second round of lab testing, it is removed from the list. If you have questions about a product that was removed from this list, please use the search bar at the top of the page to see more on that product, including its most recent test results. Products that were previously on the list and have been removed are also noted at the bottom of this list.

Lab-Tested Safer Choices List
UPDATED: September 16, 2025
Now at 90 products + 6 “bonus” products
Scroll down to see all 96 Lab-Tested Safer Choices

INDEX — See Product Categories Below

  • Section #1) Baby Foods & Baby Food Pouches
  • Section #2)Infant Formulas
  • Section #3) Breakfast Cereals
  • Section #4) Coffee & Tea
  • Section #5) Dairy Products
  • Section #6) Other Beverages
  • Section #7) Packaged Snacks for Kids (Fruit Bars, Chips, etc.)
  • Section #8) Baking & Cooking Ingredients
  • Section #9) Sweeteners/ Sugars/ Sugar Alternatives
  • Section #10) Salts
  • Section #11) Oils & Fats
  • Section #12) Plant-Based Milks
  • Section #13) Seeds (Chia & Hemp)
  • Section #14) Candy & Sweet Treats
  • Section #15) Adult Supplements & General Supplements (not expressly sold for use by kids)
  • Section #16) Children’s Supplements
  • Section #17) Cosmetics, Lotions, & Sunscreens
  • Section #18) Toothpaste

Section #1) Baby Foods & Baby Food Pouches (16)

  • Baby Food — 1 — Little Spoon Kale, Carrot + Pear BabyBlends
  • Baby Food — 2 — Little Spoon Butternut Squash + Blueberry BabyBlends
  • Baby Food — 3 — Little Spoon Sweet Potato BabyBlends
  • Baby Food — 4 — Little Spoon Sweet Potato + Carrot BabyBlends
  • Baby Food — 5 — Little Spoon Banana + Pitaya BabyBlends
  • Baby Food Pouch — 6 —  Costco’s Kirkland Organic Apple Sauce Pouch: https://amzn.to/4gOYpZ9
  • Baby Food Pouch — 7 — GoGo Squeez Organic Apple Sauce Pouch: https://amzn.to/3XhWYLe
  • Baby Food Pouch — 8 — OUAF Once Upon A Farm Dairy-free Fruit Smoothie Pouch in Strawberry Banana Swirl Flavor: https://amzn.to/3CPMbAw
  • NEW!  Baby Food Pouch — 9  — [Last Tested: August 2025] OUAF Once Upon A Farm Organic Smart Blend in Pear-y Blueberry & Spinach Flavor**: https://amzn.to/4mEIe3n
  • NEW!  Baby Food Pouch — 10 — [Last Tested: August 2025] OUAF Once Upon A Farm Organic Fruit & Veggie Blend in OhMyMega Veggie Flavor**: https://amzn.to/4mIeanF
  • NEW!  Baby Food Pouch — 11 — [Last Tested: August 2025] OUAF Once Upon A Farm Organic Immunity Blend in Pineapple, Banana & Dragon Fruit Flavor**: https://amzn.to/4mJ4fON
  • NEW!  Baby Food Pouch — 12 — [Last Tested: August 2025] OUAF Once Upon A Farm Organic Immunity Blend in Mango, Banana & Spirulina Flavor**: https://amzn.to/429BjXE
  • NEW!  Baby Food Pouch — 13 — [Last Tested: August 2025] OUAF Once Upon A Farm Organic Immunity Blend in Blueberry, Banana & Ginger Flavor**: https://amzn.to/3HScYis
  • NEW!  Baby Food Pouch — 14 — [Last Tested: August 2025] Pumpkin Tree Organic Pear Puree with Oat Fiber & Seeds**: https://amzn.to/425mTb7
  • NEW!  Baby Food Pouch — 15 — [Last Tested: August 2025] HappyTot Organics Super Bellies Immune & Digestive Support Blend in Organic Pears, Beets & Blackberries Flavor**: https://amzn.to/4fZTaGk
  • NEW!  Baby Food Pouch — 16 — [Last Tested: August 2025] HappyTot Organics Fiber & Protein in Organic Pears, Peaches, Pumpkin, Apples & Cinnamon Flavor**: https://amzn.to/47UaUAS

Section #2) Infant Formulas (11/27)

  • Infant Formula — 1 — Bobbie Organic Gentle Infant Formula Milk-Based Powder with Iron (pink and white can): https://amzn.to/3YYb849 
  • Infant Formula — 2 — Bobbie Organic Infant Formula Milk-Based Powder with Iron (green and white can): https://amzn.to/3VOr4Vy
  • Infant Formula — 3 — Bobbie Grass-Fed Milk-Based Powder with Iron (green can): https://amzn.to/3ZlAaeJ
  • Infant Formula — 4 — ByHeart Infant Formula (USA-made, not organic): https://amzn.to/48DJjTb
  • Infant Formula — 5 — HiPP Bio Combiotik Infant Formula Powder, Stage 1 (imported)
  • Infant Formula — 6 — HiPP HA Stage PRE (0+ Months) Combiotic Formula  (imported)
  • 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
  • Infant Formula — 8 — Kendamil Goat Infant Formula (not organic): This product may be available at Target (it is not available on Amazon)
  • Infant Formula — 9 — Kendamil Organic Follow-On Milk (European/ British Toddler Formula, for 6-12 months, Cow Milk): Not available on Amazon 
  • Infant Formula — 10 — Kendamil Whole Milk Infant Formula (from Europe, pink can, not organic), available at Target
  • Infant Formula — 11 — Kendamil Organic Infant Formula (Cow Milk): Not available on Amazon but may be available at Target

Section #3) Breakfast Cereals (2/29)

Section #4) Coffee & Tea (4/33)

  • Coffee & Tea — 1 — Chameleon Handcrafted Organic Cold Brew Concentrate: https://amzn.to/3OcrH77
  • Coffee & Tea — 2 — Tao of Tea Organic Genmaicha (Tamara’s favorite, Made in Japan, sold by a Portland, Oregon-based company!): https://amzn.to/3Dp8Fsd
  • Coffee & Tea — 3 — Califia Farms Almond Latte Cold Brew (XX Espresso): https://amzn.to/4gTTGoJ
  • Coffee & Tea — 4 — Death Wish Organic Espresso Roast Ground Coffee (Multi-country origin, non-USA): https://amzn.to/3yo1eiL

Section #5) Dairy Products (2/35)

Section #6) Other Beverages (3/38)

Section #7) Packaged Snacks for Kids — Fruit Bars, Chips, etc. (3/41)

  • Fruit Snack — 1 — (bar) — Pure Organic Layered Fruit Bars in Raspberry Lemonade Flavor: https://amzn.to/3XcFsIp
  • Fruit Snack — 2 — (bar) — Pure Organic Layered Fruit Bars in Strawberry Banana Flavor: https://amzn.to/3WQEekA
  • Puff  Snack — 3 — (cheese puffs) — Barbara’s Original Cheese Puffs Gluten-free Snack: https://amzn.to/429mdBB

Section #8) Baking & Cooking Ingredients (3/44)

  • Ingredient — 1 — (beans) — Jovial Organic Chickpeas, Product of Italy: https://amzn.to/4iRON1l
  • Ingredient — 2 — (red wine vinegar) — Napa Valley Naturals Organic Red Wine Vinegar (California): https://amzn.to/4jWhHOg
  • Ingredient — 3 — (apple cider vinegar) — [Last Tested: August 2025] Fairchild’s Organic Apple Cider Vinegar (Raw & Unfiltered): https://amzn.to/46gsTjM

Section #9) Sweeteners/ Sugars/ Sugar Alternatives (3/47)

Section #10) Salts (3/50)

Section #11) Oils & Fats (5/55)

  • Oil — 1 — (avocado) — Chosen Foods 100% Avocado Oil (not organic): https://amzn.to/3YDZSuv
  • Oil — 2 — (coconut) — [Last Tested: January 2025] Dr. Bronner’s White Kernel Virgin Coconut Oil, Regenerative Organic Certified: https://amzn.to/40xwBmv
  • NEW!  Oil — 3 — (coconut) — [Last Tested: August 2025] Dr. Bronner’s Whole Kernel Virgin Coconut Oil, Regenerative Organic Certified: https://amzn.to/3UWrKYq
  • Oil — 4 — (olive) — Bryan Johnson BluePrint Snake Oil Olive Oil (not organic): https://amzn.to/4mMieUj
  • Oil — 5 — (perilla seed) — Dr. Adorable’s Organic Perilla Seed Oil (Made in Korea): https://amzn.to/3NDt7Yc

Section #12) Plant-Based Milks (3/58)

  • Plant-Based Milk — 1 — (coffee creamer) — Laird Superfood Coconut Creamer: https://amzn.to/4fItA7A
  • Plant-Based Milk — 2 — (plant milk) — Kiki Milk Organic Plant-Based Milk (original flavor): https://amzn.to/3AA6Qrt
  • Plant-Based Milk — 3 — (soy milk) — [Last Tested: August 2025] West Soy Unflavored Unsweetened Organic Soy Milk: https://amzn.to/4dwev8l

Section #13) Seeds (2/60)

Section #14) Candy & Sweet Treats (4/64)

Section #15) Adult Supplements & General Supplements — not expressly sold for use by kids (9/73)

  • Supplement — 1 — (adult) — Clean Creatine (100% Creapure), Made in Germany (use with caution, please read article): https://amzn.to/43UjrS6
  • Supplement — 2 — (adult) — Doctor’s Best Vitamin C with Q-C: https://amzn.to/4hlVvea
  • Supplement — 3 — (adult) — [Tested clean in August 2025] Natural Vitality CALM, Magnesium Citrate Supplement Gummies (Raspberry Lemon Flavor): https://amzn.to/3VuwsN3
  • Supplement — 4 — (adult) — Nature’s Way Zinc Lozenges: https://amzn.to/4liDz6f
  • Supplement — 5 — (adult) — Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Fish Oil: https://amzn.to/48q1j2V
  • Supplement — 6 — (adult) — [Tested clean in August 2025] Nordic Naturals Prenatal DHA (Strawberry Soft Gels): https://amzn.to/4ngIVjv
  • Supplement — 7 — (adult) — Pectasol Modified Citrus Pectin, Formulated in the USA: https://amzn.to/3QUmZfN
  • Supplement — 8 — (adult) — Pendulum Metabolic Daily Dietary Supplement: https://amzn.to/4gY5wOm
  • Supplement — 9 — (adult) — Qwell Omega-3 by The Veggie Doctor, Vegan Algae DHA + EPA + DPA: https://amzn.to/45Lbosh

Section #16) Children’s Supplements (5/78)

  • Supplement — 8 — (kids) — Baby Ddrops, Organic Vitamin D3 Supplement for Babies: https://amzn.to/49C3ktH
  • Supplement — 9 — (kids) — Mary Ruth’s Organic Toddler Multivitamin Liquid Drops with Iron: https://amzn.to/3YPhcgx
  • Supplement — 10 — (kids) — Mary Ruth’s Organic Toddler Elderberry Liquid Drops: https://amzn.to/42617TU
  • Supplement — 11  — (kids) — Nordic Naturals Kids Vitamin D3 Gummies (Ages 3+): https://amzn.to/4l7117a
  •  Supplement — 12  — (kids) — [Tested clean in August 2025] Seed PDS-08 Pediatric Daily Synbiotic, Fiber-Based Prebiotic & Probiotic for Kids: https://amzn.to/47kVTIc

Section #17) Cosmetics, Lotions, & Sunscreens (5/83)

Section #18) Toothpastes (7/90)

  • Toothpaste — 1 — Aquafresh “FRESH & MINTY” Fluoride Toothpaste, Purchased in London, England (Made in U.K. or Slovakia): https://amzn.to/4lhRMjO
  • Toothpaste — 2 — Orajel Kids Training Toothpaste, Fluoride-free in Natural Berry Fruity Flavor with Elmo Sesame Street packaging: https://amzn.to/41wxtrY
  • Toothpaste — 3 — Miessence Fluoride-free Mint Toothpaste (Made in Australia): https://amzn.to/4bJc4PO
  • Toothpaste — 4 — Dr. Brown’s Fluoride-free Baby Toothpaste in Strawberry Flavor: https://amzn.to/3DCehzZ
  • Toothpaste — 5 — Pegciz Kids Foam Toothpaste in Watermelon Flavor, Low Flouride (packaging varies, see report): https://amzn.to/3YzP68e
  • Toothpaste — 6 — Kid’s Spry Fluoride-free Tooth Gel with Xylitol in Original Flavor: https://amzn.to/41GZb4e
  • Toothpaste — 7 — Essential Oxygen Fluoride-free BR Certified Organic in Peppermint Flavor: https://amzn.to/4lARZ2J

**Lab reports pending/ Not yet published as of 9/15/2025

Here’s a link to our landing page featuring all our third-party lab reports for the foods, supplements, and cosmetic products we have published to date, including those listed above. This is a good page to bookmark since it is updated several times each week, as new lab reports are published: https://tamararubin.com/lab-reports/

BONUS (6/96): 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. 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
  2. Ingredient — Maseca Instant Corn Masa Flour, Product of Mexico (positive for traces of Arsenic):  https://amzn.to/4iR8qWN
  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 (positive for traces of Arsenic): https://amzn.to/3BVQYQa
  5. Supplement — (adult) — Now Sunflower Lecithin, not organic (positive for traces of Arsenic): https://amzn.to/3AFdHzO
  6. Supplement — (adult) — WishGarden Immune Boost Seasonal Rescue for Pregnancy: https://amzn.to/3Cd940N
Products Removed from the Above “Lab-Tested Safer Choices” List

The following two products were previously on the Lead Safe Mama, LLC Lab-Tested Safer Choices List, but have since been removed due to results from retesting (in 2025) showing them as testing positive for toxicants.

In each case (for the two products noted below), the retest showed a very low level of toxicants (consistent with the narrative that these two products are still a cleaner choice when compared to similar options in their product categories). We only list products above that come back from the lab with “non-detect” results for all four metals we test for (Lead, Cadmium, Mercury, and Arsenic), so even though the re-test levels for these two products were low, they do not meet our standards for remaining on the list above.

You can read more about these products and the most recent lab test results for each in the articles linked below:

  1. One Degree Organics Sprouted Rolled Oats, yellow bag (Made in Canada) — May 2025 Retest
  2. Jovial Organic All-Purpose Einkorn Flour (Made in Italy) — August 2025 Retest Lab Report to be Published Shortly

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.

Lab report for the product pictured above:

 

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