How to Spot Fake or Adulterated Shilajit Before You Buy

Himalayan Shilajit is a hot commodity in the global supplement market, and wherever demand rises, so does the risk of fraud. Between inflated fulvic acid claims, undisclosed fillers, and contamination with heavy metals or microbes, the modern Shilajit market is a minefield.

If you’ve read our earlier articles—The Untold Truth About Himalayan Shilajit Harvesting and the BetterAlt COA case—you know these problems aren’t rare exceptions. They’re disturbingly common.

This guide will show you exactly how to vet a Shilajit product before you buy, so you can avoid the scams and secure the real benefits you’re after.

The Big Picture – Why Fake Shilajit Exists

• High global demand: Interest in natural performance boosters is booming
• Remote harvesting regions: Makes oversight and regulation difficult
• Opaque sourcing: Products often mix material from multiple unknown sites
• Low consumer awareness: Most buyers don’t ask for lab reports

The Most Common Forms of Adulteration

• Fulvic Acid Inflation – Claiming 50–75% fulvic acid content when actual levels are far lower. Example: BetterAlt’s 75% claim tested at just over 6%.
• Heavy Metal Contamination – Lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury sometimes found in poorly purified Shilajit.
• Microbial Contamination – Bacteria, mold, and pathogens from improper handling or storage.
• Undeclared Fillers & Additives – Cutting with soil, charcoal, bitumen, or synthetic compounds to stretch volume.
• Fake “Synthetic” Shilajit – Lab-made imitations that mimic texture and color but lack natural compounds.

Step-by-Step: How to Spot a Fake or Adulterated Product

1. Demand a Third-Party Certificate of Analysis (COA)

Must be from an accredited lab (not in-house). Should list fulvic acid %, heavy metals panel, and microbial screen. The batch number on the COA must match the number on your jar.

2. Check the Fulvic Acid Claim

Anything over 30% is worth scrutiny. Natural Shilajit rarely exceeds 20–25%. Ask what test method they used—non-standard methods can inflate results.

3. Inspect Transparency of Sourcing

Real sellers will share region of harvest and purification method. Watch out for vague terms like “pure Himalayan” without specifics.

4. Examine Texture, Smell, and Dissolution

Real Shilajit: smooth, resinous, dissolves completely in warm water. Fake/adulterated: gritty sediment, chemical odor, or artificial shine.

5. Research the Seller’s Track Record

Search “[Brand Name] COA” and “[Brand Name] review” before buying. Look for independent testing results posted by customers.

Quick Reference – Shilajit Purity Checklist

Cross-Referencing With Our Earlier Investigations

See Why American-Sourced Fulvic Acid Outshines Himalayan Shilajit for a side-by-side performance comparison. Review The Environmental Footprint of Himalayan Shilajit Extraction to understand why sustainable alternatives matter.

The Guaranteed Alternative: American Grit

If you don’t want to gamble on sourcing, purification, and honesty, skip the middleman and go directly to a verified fulvic source:

• American-sourced deposits with full traceability
• Water extraction + fermentation for purity and potency
• Every batch tested for fulvic %, heavy metals, and microbes

Bottom Line

Fake and adulterated Shilajit is more common than most buyers think. With a little due diligence—checking COAs, verifying batch numbers, and understanding natural fulvic ranges—you can protect yourself from scams and get the results you’re paying for.

Or better yet, choose a product like American Grit where the numbers are real, the tests are public, and the ecosystem stays intact.