Comparative Chart of Lab Test Results: Sweetener Products — Sugar, Xylitol, Honey, Molasses, Syrup, etc.

Published: April 29, 2026
A Quick Note From Tamara Rubin

Below you will find a comparative chart showing the lab test results for all of the sweetener products we have sent in for independent, third-party laboratory testing to date (since we started the Lead Safe Mama, LLC Community Collaborative Laboratory Testing Initiative in March of 2024). There are currently lab test results for eight products included in this chart as of the date of publishing. 

• Fun Fact: “The darker the product, the more contaminated the product” — seems to be a rule when it comes to evaluating heavy metals contamination of sweeteners! We plan on testing some dark honey to see of that applies with more examples.

As always – to see the full original lab report for each product shown in the chart, click the link for the article for that specific product (the numbers in the list of linked articles below correspond with the numbers for each of the products shown in the chart below) and scroll down to the very bottom of the article. The lab reports are always BELOW the sharable social media graphic and BELOW the list of Lab Tested Safer Choices that is embedded in each article.

As with nearly all of the lab test results we share, we will take a moment reiterate a key point: All relevant federal agencies have published statements that are in agreement with the consensus in the scientific and medical communities that there is no safe level of Lead exposure for human beings — especially in products that will be ingested.

1. Anthony’s Premium Organic Cane Sugar
2. Now Real Food Granulated Pure Xylitol 
3. Espure Organic Xylitol
4. Simply Organic Grade A Dark Color Maple Syrup
5. Natural Local Raw Orange Blossom Honey
6. Big Tree Farms Organic Brown Coconut Sugar
7. 365 Whole Foods Market Organic Unrefined Coconut Sugar
8. Plantation Blackstrap Unsulphured Molasses

The Lead Safe Mama, LLC Community Collaborative Laboratory Testing Initiative is directed by you (our readers help nominate products for testing and reporting), and funded by you (our readers help cover the costs of the testing and reporting we do).

The testing and reporting for more than 50% of the products included in this chart was not funded. If you appreciate this information (if it is helping you to make science-based informed choices for yourself and your family) and you would like to support our work with a financial contribution, we would like to encourage you to join us on Patreon with a small monthly gift in support of the Lead Safe Mama, LLC Community Collaborative Laboratory Testing Initiative.

The link to our Patreon membership page is below. Thank you for considering this request. Even a monthly gift of just $2.00 or $3.00 makes a difference! Our current average monthly gift is $3.91 a month (there are also some fun membership perks at the $25.00 / month and $50.00 / month levels, so please do check those out as well).   https://www.patreon.com/leadsafemama/membership

Thank you for supporting the work of Lead Safe Mama, LLC in ALL THE WAYS!