Why Shilajit Safety Matters
Shilajit is one of the most hyped natural supplements on the market. But the same porous, mineral-rich nature that makes it valuable can also make it risky. Without proper processing and third-party lab testing, Shilajit can carry unsafe levels of heavy metals and harmful microbes.
In fact, several independent tests have found products on the market exceeding safe limits — including brands that claimed to be “pure” and “high potency.”
The Two Main Safety Concerns
1) Heavy Metals
Shilajit naturally contains trace amounts of metals from its environment. While some minerals are beneficial, toxic heavy metals can cause serious health risks if consumed above safe thresholds.
Key heavy metals to test for:
- Lead (Pb)
- Arsenic (As)
- Cadmium (Cd)
- Mercury (Hg)
Maximum safe limits (per WHO & USP guidelines):
- Lead — ≤ 0.5 ppm
- Arsenic — ≤ 0.1 ppm (inorganic)
- Cadmium — ≤ 0.3 ppm
- Mercury — ≤ 0.1 ppm
2) Microbial Contamination
If harvested or processed improperly, Shilajit can harbor harmful bacteria, yeast, and mold. This is especially concerning for immune-compromised individuals.
What a safe microbial panel should include:
- Total Plate Count (TPC) — ≤ 10,000 CFU/g
- Yeast & Mold — ≤ 100 CFU/g
- Escherichia coli — Not detected
- Salmonella — Not detected
- Staphylococcus aureus — Not detected
How to Verify Shilajit Safety Before You Buy
- Demand a Batch-Matched COA — The COA should have the same lot number as your jar.
- Check the Date — Testing should be recent (ideally less than 12 months old).
- Look for Accredited Labs — ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation means the lab meets strict testing standards.
- Ensure Method Transparency — Heavy metal detection limits and microbial methods should be listed.
Red Flags That Signal Risk
- COA is generic or reused for multiple batches
- Fulvic acid % claims seem unrealistically high without proof
- No mention of heavy metal or microbial testing
- Only in-house testing with no third-party verification
Real-World Example: Why You Should Always Check
One popular Himalayan Shilajit brand claimed 75% fulvic acid and “lab tested purity.” Independent lab work revealed just over 6% fulvic acid and unsafe lead levels for long-term use — with a COA that wasn’t even from the same batch sold to customers.
Why American Grit Is Different
At OperationAmericanGrit.com, every jar of American Grit Fulvic Acid is:
- Third-party tested for heavy metals, microbes, and fulvic acid %
- Batch-specific — COAs match the exact jar you get
- Publicly posted for full transparency
Related Reads in This Series
- How to Spot Fake Shilajit Before You Buy
- Lab Testing Shilajit: The Methods That Matter (and the Ones That Don’t)
- The 7 Biggest Myths About Himalayan Shilajit
→ See American Grit’s Latest COA Here