Testing Host Defense Mushrooms MyCommunity Supplement Powder for Lead, Cadmium, Mercury, and Arsenic with Independent, Third-Party Laboratory Analysis

ByTamara Posted: Updated:
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Published: September 5, 2025
A Quick Note from Tamara Rubin:

Consistent with our testing of other mushroom-powder containing products to date, this Host Defense Mushrooms MyCommunity supplement powder product tested positive for traces of toxicants (in this case, specifically Lead, Cadmium, and Arsenic).  You can see all of our mushroom-powder-based product lab reports on this link.

I was actually surprised that the Lead-level of this product was not higher, but given it did test positive for three heavy-metal toxicants (and given there is no safe level of Lead exposure for human beings), I think consumers should consider other options before choosing this product or a similar product with the same ingredient profile. Any dried mushroom powder product is likely to be contaminated, and while consuming whole fresh mushrooms may have significant health benefits in certain circumstance, consuming the processed / dried/ powdered form of that food may not actually carry with it the same health benefits (especially given these supplement powders typically concentrate heavy metals / have higher levels of heavy metals than the whole fresh – hydrated – food in its original form).

I often recommend that if people want to collect more science-based information to help them decide whether-or-not to continue using any given product – they should ask their doctor about getting a heavy metals test (blood or urine). If you test positive for any of the metals found in a product you are considering using (or a product you are already using), you may choose not to use that product. If you have been using a known contaminated product but your blood or urine do not test positive for the toxicants identified, you may choose to use / continue using that product. It is important to understand – however – that testing “negative” – using urine or blood testing – for a toxicant found in a product you consume does not mean that toxicant is not impacting your health. More on that below. Always discuss these sorts of things with your doctor, Lead Safe Mama, LLC is NOT a medical provider.

In short – we recommend using science (about your body, and the products you consume) to help you make science-informed choices for yourself and your family.

Again, all Federal agencies agree that there is no safe level of Lead exposure for humans, this is a point that is not disputed within the scientific and medical community (but is often disputed by supplement manufacturers!)  Please do note that consuming lead contaminated products may not always result in elevated (or notable) levels of Lead in your urine or blood (the same consideration applies for Cadmium, and Arsenic), but that does not mean the consumption of this contaminated product is not having a potential negative impact on your health. Getting a baseline test for heavy metals (urine or blood – ask your doctor what they recommend) is always a good thing to do so you have context against which to measure future test results if you have concerns for incidental (or chronic) heavy metals exposure at some point in the future, but if you plan to do that we recommend you take some time to learn about the potential limitations, benefits, and context for this type of testing . You can read more about that on this link, and on this link.

As a personal example (using our own medical considerations and test results to help us make informed decisions): In my family we are choosing to avoid all known products that test positive (with independent, third-party, laboratory testing) for any amount of Lead or Cadmium. Again: the impact of Lead in the body is cumulative over a lifetime. Cadmium and Lead are both known carcinogens. My husband has a pre-cancerous condition and additional exposure to toxicants that might increase his risks for cancer and early death are not worth the risk to us. One of my sons also tested positive for a concerning level of Arsenic with a blood test, so he is also being fairly strict in avoiding Arsenic-contaminated foods (rice, seaweed, etc.) This is simply how my family is choosing to use this type of information, and I understand you might use this type of information to make different choices for your family.

We will be updating this article shortly with a comparative chart showing all of the test results for each of the mushroom powder products we have tested and reported on to date. To see the full original lab report for this product, please scroll down to the very bottom of this article.

The funding to cover our costs for testing and reporting for this particular product was covered by a single individual sponsor. Thank you so much to that person for supporting this work in this way!

Contributions supporting the Community-Collaborative Laboratory Testing Initiative of  Lead Safe Mama, LLC are always welcome but are also particularly needed this month, as we are battling an operating shortfall of over $10,000 from this past summer.

We recently sent more than 50 (fifty!) products to the lab for testing (including several baby food pouch products) without first receiving full funding through each respective campaign to cover the costs of testing and reporting for those items. While this may seem (at first glance) like an irresponsible action from a business perspective, all of this testing was very important in helping provide critical supporting data points for our greater Laboratory Testing Initiative and the work we are planning on organizing moving forward.

To both support Lead Safe Mama, LLC 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 there for FREE or with a small monthly gift supporting our work. Our average monthly gift from paid Patreon subscribers as of the time of publishing this article is $2.51 each month. 372 (Three Hundred and Seventy Two!) people contributing an average of $2.51 a month ads up to over $900.00 a month in combined  monthly contributions – contributions which help us get more products tested more quickly! So while a contribution of $2.50 or $3.00 a month may seem like a small amount, it can help to make a big difference. Thank you for considering supporting this 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 — you can find the full list below (please scroll down).

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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 includes the Lead Safe Mama, LLC Lab Tested Safer Choices List. The graphic is different depending on which version of the list is below the graphic. The Leaf graphic above is our new graphic spacer for the September 2025 update of this Lab-Tested Safer Choices List. If the graphic is different (a sun, a rainbow, a flower, a heart, a shamrock) when you see this list in any article, that is to note that it is an earlier version of the Lab-Tested Safer Choices List. The date of the list (date last updated) is included in the text with each list as well, but we wanted to bring your attention to this visual tool we use to identify the latest version of our lab tested safer choices list. Lead Safe Mama Team Members do their best to update the list (with the new current spacer graphic, which denotes that the most recent list of safer choices is below) wherever it occurs – but may not have gotten to every copy yet… so 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 to see 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 few products from that specific brand tested clean.

Products on our “safer choices” list are retested periodically (annually or more frequently, as funding permits). If a product no longer tests clean when retested, 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 search for that product (by brand name or product name) to read the related article  /  to see the most recent test results for that product.

Lab-Tested Safer Choices List
UPDATED: September 2, 2025, Tuesday
Now at 90 products + 6 “bonus” products (90 + 6 = 96)
Scroll down to see all 96 Lab-Tested Safer Choices

INDEX / Categories of Products 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 Supplemets
  • Section #17) Cosmetics, Lotions, & Sunscreens
  • Section #18) Toothpastes

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  — [Tested Clean, 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 — [Tested Clean, August 2025] — OUAF – Once Upon A Farm Organic Fruit & Veggie Blend in OhMyMega Veggie Flavor**: https://amzn.to/4mIeanF
  • NEW!  Baby Food Pouch — 11 — [Tested Clean, 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 — [Tested Clean, August 2025] — OUAF – Once Upon A Farm Organic Immunity Blend in Mango, Banana & Spirulina Flavor**: https://amzn.to/429BjXE
  • NEW!  Baby Food Pouch — 13 — [Tested Clean, August 2025] — OUAF – Once Upon A Farm Organic Immunity Blend in Blueberry, Banana & Ginger Flavor**: https://amzn.to/3HScYis
  • NEW!  Baby Food Pouch — 14 — [Tested Clean, August 2025] — Pumpkin Tree –  Organic Pear Puree with Oat Fiber & Seeds**: https://amzn.to/425mTb7
  • NEW!  Baby Food Pouch — 15 — [Tested Clean, 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 — [Tested Clean, August 2025] — HappyTot Organics – Fiber & Protein in Organic Pears, Peachers, 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
  • NEW!  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
  • NEW! Ingredient — 3 — (apple cider vinegar) — [Tested Clean, 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) — Dr. Bronner’s White Kernel Virgin Coconut Oil – Regenerative Organic Certified: https://amzn.to/40xwBmv
  • NEW!  Oil — 3 — (coconut) — [Tested Clean, 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 (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) — [Retested Clean, 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
  • NEW! Supplement — 3 — (adult) — [Tested Clean, 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
  • NEW! Supplement — 6 — (adult) —  [Tested Clean, 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
  • NEW!  Supplement — 12  — (kids) — [Tested Clean, 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 9/2/2025

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 (postive 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 been removed because a retest (in 2025) showed them to test 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 other similar choices in their product categories).
  • We only list products above that have come back from the lab with “non-detect” results for all four metals we test for (Lead, Cadmium, Mercury, & Arsenic), so even thought the re-test levels for these products were low, they do not meet the standards to remain on the list above.
  • You can read more about these products (and see the most recent lab test result for the corresponding product) on the article discussing that product – links below:
  1. One Degree Organics Sprouted Rolled Oats (Canada) – Yellow Bag, May 2025 Retest
  2. Jovial Organic All-Purpose Einkorn Flour (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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