{"id":943170,"date":"2026-10-27T21:12:16","date_gmt":"2026-10-27T21:12:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/943170\/"},"modified":"2026-10-27T21:12:16","modified_gmt":"2026-10-27T21:12:16","slug":"omega-3s-dha-tested-for-pesticides-pfas-phthalates-heavy-metals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/943170\/","title":{"rendered":"Omega-3s & DHA Tested for Pesticides, PFAS, Phthalates, & Heavy Metals"},"content":{"rendered":"

Which Omega-3s & DHA supplements contain the lowest levels of potentially harmful contaminants, including pesticides, heavy metals, PFAS \u201cforever chemicals,\u201d and phthalates? We asked our audience which Omega-3s & DHA supplements they were using, and then sent the top 6 products to different EPA-certified laboratories for contaminant testing. The results provide consumers with data-driven information to help evaluate and compare Omega-3s & DHA supplement brands based on contaminant levels. You\u2019ve trusted Mamavation to bring you consumer studies like (1) safest cooking oils tested for phthalates<\/a>, (2) safest water filters to filter PFAS<\/a>, (3) safest Vitamin D supplements<\/a>, and (4) safest women\u2019s multivitamins<\/a>; now join us for a consumer study testing Omega-3s & DHA for pesticides, PFAS \u201cforever chemicals,\u201d phthalates, & heavy metals.<\/p>\n

Disclosure: This consumer study is released in partnership with\u00a0Environmental Health News.<\/a> Note that Mamavation has only \u201cspot-checked\u201d the industry and thus we cannot make predictions about brands and products that we have not tested. Products and manufacturing aides can change without notice so buyer beware. This post contains affiliate links, with most to Amazon, which means Mamavation will receive a portion of those sales and we will use that to pay ourselves back for the testing. You can also give a tax-deductible donation to our consumer studies\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0through Environmental Health Sciences. Thank you!\u00a0 Copyright \u00a9 2026 Mamavation \u2014 All Rights Reserved<\/p>\n

\"Omega-3s<\/p>\n

Mamavation\u2019s EPA-Certified Laboratory Finds Heavy Metals, PFAS, Pesticides, & Phthalates in Popular Omega-3s & DHA Supplements<\/p>\n

Mamavation sent six popular omega-3s and DHA supplements to two EPA-certified laboratories testing for PFAS analytes, including PFOA\/PFOS, phthalates, heavy metals, glyphosate, and 500+ additional pesticides. The contamination results were surprising considering how expensive most of these products were in terms of phthalate contamination. Here\u2019s the outcome of contaminants that were found according to our labs:<\/p>\n

100% of Omega-3s & DHA supplements contained ortho-phthalates. That\u2019s 6 out of 6 products.
\nTotal phthalate levels ranged from 117 ppb to 6,193 ppb.\u00a0
\nNo Omega-3s or DHA supplements had levels of heavy metals (lead, arsenic, cadmium & mercury) that would require a Prop. 65 warning in California. 6 products had lower levels of heavy metals. However, 1 product had zero detectable heavy metals.
\nNone of the Omega-3s & DHA supplements we tested had detectable levels of glyphosate at the lowest standardized level.
\nNone of the Omega-3s & DHA supplements we tested had detectable levels of 500+ other pesticides.\u00a0
\nNone of the Omega-3 and DHA supplements we tested contained any PFAS chemicals.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Pure
\nContaminants Included in Mamavation\u2019s EPA Certified Laboratory Testing<\/p>\n

Mamavation sent six Omega-3 & DHA supplements to two different EPA-certified laboratories to test for specific problematic contaminants that would not be listed on an ingredient panel. These ingredients are never found on an ingredient label because they are not considered \u201cintentionally added\u201d and would instead be considered more of a contaminant from manufacturing, transportation, storage, and\/or agricultural practices. However, just because these contaminants are not \u201cintentionally added\u201d doesn\u2019t mean they won\u2019t affect your health over time and with repeated use.\u00a0With regular, long-term use, even low-level contaminants can matter for health. That\u2019s why independent testing and transparent sourcing practices are important for both consumers and the companies they trust.<\/p>\n

Our labs tested for the following contaminants and found some of them present in the Omega-3s & DHA we tested to varying degrees:<\/p>\n

40 specific PFAS \u201cforever\u201d chemicals
\nGlyphosate
\n500+ additional Pesticides
\nPhthalates
\nLead \u2014 heavy metal
\nArsenic \u2014 metaloid
\nCadmium \u2014 heavy metal
\nMercury \u2014 heavy metal<\/p>\n

\"Fish<\/p>\n

PFAS \u201cForever Chemical\u201d Analytes Tested, Including PFOA & PFOS<\/p>\n

PFAS \u201cforever chemicals\u201d are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances used as stain-resistant, water-resistant, & oil-resistant chemicals in commerce. They have been used for decades in consumer products, manufacturing, and building materials. Here are some of the health effects associated with different PFAS \u201cforever chemicals:\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also very clear based on biomonitoring evidence from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) that\u00a0PFAS are in virtually all Americans.<\/a>\u00a0Therefore, these exposures can harm most Americans.<\/p>\n

For this investigation, we elected to test for forty specific PFAS analytes listed below using\u00a0EPA method 1633<\/a>:<\/p>\n

Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA)
\nPerfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA)
\nPerfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA)
\nPerfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA)
\nPerfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
\nPerfluorononanoic acid (PFNA)
\nPerfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA)
\nPerfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA)
\nPerfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA)
\nPerfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTriA)
\nPerfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTeA)
\nPerfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS)
\nPerfluoropentanesulfonic acid (PFPeS)
\nPerfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS)
\nPerfluoroheptanesulfonic Acid (PFHpS)
\nPerfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS)
\nPerfluorononanesulfonic acid (PFNS)
\nPerfluorodecanesulfonic acid (PFDS)
\nPerfluorododecanesulfonic acid (PFDoS)
\nPerfluorooctanesulfonamide (FOSA)
\nNMeFOSAA
\nNEtFOSAA
\n4:2 FTS
\n6:2 FTS
\n8:2 FTS
\nNEtFOSA
\nNMeFOSA
\nNMeFOSE
\nNEtFOSE
\n9Cl-PF3ONS
\nHFPO-DA (GenX)
\n11Cl-PF3OUdS
\nADONA
\n3:3 FTCA
\n5:3 FTCA
\n7:3 FTCA
\nNFDHA
\nPFMBA
\nPFMPA
\nPFEESA<\/p>\n

\"Cod
\nGlyphosate \u2014 Testing Details<\/p>\n

Glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl) glycine] is the active ingredient in glyphosate-based herbicides (GBH) and is the\u00a0most popular herbicide in the world<\/a>. Its environmental presence increased sharply after the introduction of \u201cRoundup Ready\u201d crops in 1996, which allowed glyphosate to be sprayed onto crops such as soy, corn, and cotton without killing them. Beyond agriculture, glyphosate is extensively used in landscaping, roadside maintenance, golf courses, and vegetation control in fire-prone areas.<\/p>\n

Glyphosate was originally patented as a chelator and an antibiotic, which means it binds minerals and interferes with microbial systems. These properties have fueled concern that long-term exposure may disrupt nutrient absorption, alter the gut microbiota, and\u00a0increase antibiotic resistance<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified glyphosate as a probable carcinogen, and\u00a0California lists it under Proposition 65<\/a>\u00a0for cancer and reproductive harm.<\/p>\n

Because glyphosate is not an intentionally added ingredient, it does not appear on supplement labels. However, its absence from ingredient panels does not guarantee absence from the product itself. Contamination can occur through agricultural practices, raw material sourcing, manufacturing, transportation, or storage\u2014making independent testing a critical safeguard.<\/p>\n

To evaluate potential exposure,\u00a0Mamavation sent six Omega-3s & DHA supplements to an EPA-certified laboratory for testing. Samples were analyzed for glyphosate and AMPA using liquid chromatography\u2013mass spectrometry (LC-MS\/MS) with a detection limit of 10 parts per billion (ppb), which is the lowest level routinely achievable through standardized commercial testing. While some academic laboratories may reach lower limits, those methods are not widely available or standardized for consumer product screening.<\/p>\n

\"Omega-3s<\/p>\n

500+ Additional Pesticide Laboratory Tests for Vitamin D Supplements \u2014 Testing Details<\/p>\n

Six Omega-3 & DHA supplements were sent to our EPA-certified lab and analyzed using two different methods, totaling testing for 587 pesticides down to the lowest standardized level, mostly 10 ppb. However, there are a few chemicals for which the detection limit ranged from 18 to 25 ppb. The first method looked at the following pesticides:<\/p>\n

2,4,6-Trichloroanisole
\n2,4,6-Trichlorophenol
\n2-phenylphenol (SP)
\n8-hydroxyquinoline (SP)
\nAcetochlor
\nAcrinathrin
\nAlachlor
\nAldrin
\nAlpha Endosulfan
\nAlpha-HCH
\nAmetryn
\nAnthraquinone
\nAtrazine
\nBeflubutamid
\nBenalaxyl
\nBenfluralin
\nBeta Endosulfan
\nBeta-HCH
\nBifenazate-Bifenazate Diazene
\nBifenox
\nBifenthrin
\nBiphenyl
\nBitertanol
\nBromophos-ethyl
\nBromophos-methyl
\nBromopropylate
\nBupirimate
\nCaptan
\nCaptan (Sum)
\nCarbophenothion
\nChinomethionat
\nChlordane (Sum)
\nChlorfenapyr
\nChlorfenson
\nChlorfenvinphos
\nChlormephos
\nChlorobenzilate+Chloro propylate
\nChlorothalonil
\nChlorotoluron
\nChlorpropham
\nChlorpyrifos
\nChlorpyrifos-methyl
\nChlorthal-dimethyl
\nChlorthion
\nCinidon-ethyl
\nCis-Chlordane
\nCyfluthrin
\nCyproconazole
\nCyprodinil
\nDDD-pp+DDT-0p
\nDDT (Sum)
\nDEET
\ndelta-HCH
\nDeltamethrin
\nDesethyl atrazine
\nDiafenthiuron
\nDiazinon
\nDichlobenil
\nDichlofenthion
\nDiclobutrazol
\nDicloran
\nDicofol (Sum)
\nDicofol 0,p
\nDicofol p,p
\nDicrotophos
\nDieldrin
\nDieldrin (Sum)
\nDicofol o,p
\nDicofol p,p
\nDicrotophos
\nDieldrin
\nDieldrin (Sum)
\nDifenoconazole
\nDiflufenican
\nDimefox
\nDimoxystrobin
\nDiniconazole
\n\u00a0Dinobuton
\nDiphenylamine
\nDisulfoton (SP)
\nDisulfoton (Sum)
\nDisulfoton Sulfone
\nDisulfoton Sulfoxide
\nDitalimfos
\nEndosulfan (Sum)
\nEndosulfan-Sulphate
\nEndrin
\nEPN
\nEpsilon-HCH
\nEPTC
\nEthalfuralin
\nEthion
\nEthofumesate (SP)
\nEthoprophos
\nEtridiazole
\nEtrimfos
\nFenarimol
\nFenazaquin
\nFenchlorphos (SP)
\nFenchlorphos (Sum)
\nFenchlorphos Oxon
\nFenitrothion
\nFenpropathrin
\nFenson
\nFenthion (SP)
\nFenthion Oxon
\nFenvalerate
\nFlucythrinate
\nFlumetralin
\nFluopicolide
\nFluopyram
\nFluotrimazole
\nFlutamone
\nFluvalinate
\nFolpet
\nFolpet (Sum)
\nFonofos
\nFuralaxyl
\nHeptachlor (SP)
\nHeptachlor (Sum)
\nHeptachlor Epoxide A
\nHeptachlor Epoxide B
\nHeptenophos
\nHexachlorobenzene
\nHexaclorobutadiene
\nHexacanazole
\nIodofenphos
\nIprobenfos
\nIprodione
\nIprovalicarb
\nIsazofos
\nIsofenphos
\nIsophenfos-methyl
\nKresoxim-methyl
\nLambda-Cyhalothrin
\nLindane
\nMalaoxon
\nMalathion (SP)
\nMefenpyr Diethyl
\nMepronil
\nMetalaxyl-M (Mefenoxam)
\nMethacrifos
\nMethidathion
\nMethacrifos
\nMethidathion
\nMethoxychlor
\nMetribuzin
\nMevinphos
\nMirex
\nMolinate
\nMyclobutanil
\nNaled
\nNaled (Sum)
\nNapropamide
\nNitrofen
\nNitrothal Isopropyl
\nNuarimol
\no,p-DDD
\no,p-DDE
\nOfurace
\nOxadixyl
\nOxychlordan
\nOxyfluorfen
\np,p-DDT
\np,p-DDE
\nParaoxon Methyl
\nParaoxon-ethyl
\nParathion Methyl (SP)
\nParathion Methyl (Sum)
\nParathion-ethyl
\nParathion-ethyl (Sum)
\nPenconazole
\nPendimethalin
\nPentachloroaniline
\nPentachloroanisole
\nPentachlorobenzene
\nPentachlorobenzonitrile
\nPentachlorophenol
\nPermethrin
\nPhenthoate
\nPhorate
\nPhosalone
\nPhthalimide
\nPiperonyl butoxide
\nPirimiphos-ethyl
\nPirimiphos-methyl
\nProcymidone
\nProfenofos
\nProfluralin
\nPrometryn
\nPropazine
\nPropetamphos
\nPropyzamide
\nProthiofos
\nPyrazophos
\nPyridaben
\nPyridaphenthion
\nPyrifenox
\nPyrimethanil
\nPyriproxyfen
\nQuinalphos
\nQuintozene
\nQuintozene (Sum)
\nSilthiofam
\nSimazine
\nTebuconazole
\nTebufenpyrad
\nTecnazene
\nTefluthrin
\nTerbacil
\nTerbumeton
\nTerbuthylazine
\nTerbuthylazine Desethyl
\nTerbutryn
\nTetrachlorvinphos
\nTetracanazole
\nTetradifon
\nTetrahydrophthalimide (THPI)
\nTetramethrin
\nTetrasul
\nThiometon
\nTolclofos-methyl
\nTrans-Chlordane
\nTransfluthrin
\nTriadimefon
\nTriadimenol
\nTri-allate
\nTriamiphos
\nTrifluralin
\nUniconazole
\nVinclozolin
\nZeta-cypermethrin<\/p>\n

The second group was analyzed using the LC-MS\/MS technique for 360 pesticides and included the following:<\/p>\n

3-OH carbofuran (SQ)
\nAbamectin
\nAcephate
\nAcequinocyl
\nAcetamiprid
\nAcibenzolar-S-methyl (SP)
\nAlcarb (SP)
\nAldicarb (Sum)
\nAldicarb Sulfone
\nAldicarb Sulfoxide
\nAmetroctradin
\nAminocarb
\nAmitraz (SP)
\nAtrizine Desisopropyl
\nAzaconazole
\nAzadirachtin
\nAzamethiphos
\nAzimsulfuron
\nAzinphos-ethyl
\nAzinphos-methyl
\nAzocyclotin and Cyhexatin (SQ)
\nAzoxystrobin
\nBen-Carb-TPN (Sum)
\nBendiocarb
\nBentazone (SP)
\nBentazones-methyl
\nBenthiavalicarb
\nBioallethrin
\nBixafen
\nBoscalid
\nBromacil
\nBromoxynil (SP)
\nBromuconazole
\nBTS 44595
\nBTS 44596
\nBuprofezin
\nButachlor
\nButocarboxim
\nButoxicarboxim Sulfoxide
\nButralin
\nButuron
\nCadusafos
\nCarbaryl
\nCarbendazim and Benomyl
\nCarbetamide
\nCarboxin (SP)
\nCarfentazone-ethyl (SP)
\nChloratraniliprole
\nchlorbromuron
\nChlorfluazuron
\nChloridazon
\nChloroxuron
\nChlorsulfuron
\nChlorthiophos
\nClethodim (SP)
\nClethodim Sulfoxide
\nClofentezine
\nClomazone
\nClopyralid
\nClothianidine
\nCoumaphos
\nCrimidine
\nCyanazine
\nCyantraniliprole
\nCyazofamid
\nCyclanilide
\nCycloate
\nCycloxydim (SP)
\nCyenopyrafen
\nCyflufenamid
\nCyflumetofen
\nCyhalofop-butyl
\nCymoxanil
\nCyromazine
\nDemeton S
\nDemeton-S-methyl
\nDemeton-S-Methylsulfone
\nDemeton-S-sulfoxide
\nDesmedipham
\nDesmetryn
\nDialifos
\nDichiofluanid
\nDichlormid
\nDichloroprop
\nDichlorvos
\nDiclofop (SP\/SQ)
\nDiclofop (Sum)
\nDiclofo-methyl (SP\/SQ)
\nDiethofencarb
\nDiflubenzuron
\nDimefuron
\nDimethachlor
\nDimethenamid-P
\nDimethoate
\nDimethoate (Sum)
\nDimethomorph
\nDimethylaminosulfotoluidide (DMST)
\nDinotefuran
\nDiuron
\nDNOC
\nDodemorph
\nDodine
\nEdifenphos
\nEmamectin B1a
\nEpoxiconazole
\nEthaboxam
\nEthiofencarb
\nEthiofencarb sulfone
\nEthiofencarb sulfoxide
\nEthiprole
\nEthirimol
\nEthoxyquin (SQ)
\nEtofenprox
\nEtoxazole
\nFamoxadone
\nFenamidone
\nFenamiphos (SP)
\nFenamiphos (Sum)
\nFenamiphos Sulphone
\nFenamiphos Sulphoxide
\nFebnuconazole
\nFenbutatin oxide
\nFenhexamid
\nFenobucarb
\nFenoxycarb
\nFenpiclonil
\nFenpropidin (SP)
\nFenpropimorph
\nFenpyrazamine
\nFenpyroximate
\nFensulfothion
\nFensulfothion Oxon
\nFensulfothion Oxon Sulfone
\nFensulfothion Sulfone
\nFenthion (Sum)
\nFenthion Oxon Sulfone
\nFenthion Oxon Sulfoxide
\nFentin (SP\/SQ)
\nFenuron
\nFipronil (SP)
\nFipronil (Sum)
\nFipronil Sulfide
\nFipronil Sulfone
\nFlamprop
\nFlazasulfuron
\nFlonicamid (SP)
\nFlonicamid (Sum)
\nFlorasulam
\nFluazifop-methyl (SP)
\nFluazifop-P (SP)
\nFluazifop-P-butyl (SP)
\nFluazinam
\nFlubendiamide
\nFludioxonil
\nFlufenacet
\nFlufenacet (Sum)
\nFlufenacet ESA
\nFlufenacet OA
\nFlufenoxuron
\nFlumioxazin
\nFluometuron
\nFluoxastrobin
\nFlupyradifurone
\nFluquinconazole
\nFluoxypyr (SP)
\nFluroxypyr-meptyl
\nFluroxypyr-meptyl
\nFlusilazole
\nFlutolanil
\nFlutriafol
\nFluxapyroxad
\nForamsulfuron
\nForchlorfenuron
\nFormetanate (SP)
\nFormothion
\nFosthiazate
\nFuberidazole
\nHalosulfuron methyl
\nHaloxyfop (Sum)
\nHaloxyfop-2-ethoxyethyl
\nHaloxyfop-methyl (SP)
\nHaloxyfop-R (SP)
\nHexaflumuron
\nHexazinone
\nHexythiazox
\nImazalil
\nImazapic
\nImazappic
\nImazapyr
\nImidacloprid
\nIndaziflam
\nIndoxacarb
\nIodosulfuron-methyl (SP)
\nIoxynil (SP)
\nIsocarbophos
\nIsoprocarb
\nIsoprothiolane
\nIsoproturon
\nIsopyrazam
\nIsoxaben
\nIsoxathion
\nIvermectin
\nLenacil
\nLinuron
\nLufenuron
\nMandipropamid
\nMatrine
\nMCPA (SP)
\nMecarbam
\nMepanipyrim
\nMeptyldinocap
\nMesosulfuron-methyl
\nMesotrione
\nMetaflumizone
\nMetamitron
\nMetazachlor (SP)
\nMethiocarb (Sum)
\nMethoprotyne
\nMethoxyfenozide
\nMetobromuron
\nMetolachlor and S-Metolachlor
\nMetolcarb
\nMetoxuron
\nMetrafenone
\nMetsulfuron-methyl
\nMilbemectin SQ (Sum)
\nMilbemycin A3 (SQ)
\nMilbemycin A4 (SQ)
\nMonocrotophos
\nMonolinuron
\nmonuron
\nNeburon
\nNicosulfuron
\nNitenpyram
\nNorflurazon
\nNovaluron
\nOmethoate
\nOxadiargyl
\nOxydiazon
\nOxamyl
\nOxasulfuron
\nOxathiapiprolin
\nOxycarboxin
\nPaclobutrazol
\nPencycuron
\nPenthiopyrad
\nPhenmedipham
\nPhorate (Sum)
\nPhorate Oxon
\nPhorate Oxon Sulfone
\nPhorate Oxon Sulfoxide
\nPhorate Sulfone
\nPhorate Sulfoxide
\nPhosmet (SP)
\nPhosmet (Sum)
\nPhosmet oxon
\nPhosphamidon
\nPhoxim
\nPicolinafen
\nPicoxystrobin
\nPinoxaden
\nPirimicarb
\nPirimicarb Desmethyl
\nPirimicarb Desmethyl Formamide
\nProchloraz (SP)
\nProchloraz (Sum)
\nPromecarb
\nPropachlor
\nPropamocarb (SP)
\nPropanil
\nPropaquizafob
\nPropargite
\nPropham
\nPropiconazole
\nPropoxur
\nProquinazid
\nProsulfocarb
\nProsulfuron
\nProthiocaonazole
\nPydiflumetofen
\nPymetrozine
\nPyracarbolid
\nPyraclostrobin
\nPyraflufen
\nPydiflumetofen
\nPymetrozine
\nPyracarbolid
\nPyraclostrobin
\nPyraflufen
\nPyraflufen-ethyl (SP)
\nPyraflufen-ethyl (Sum)
\nPyridalyl
\nPyridate (SP)
\nQuinclorac
\nQuinoxyfen
\nQuizalofop-ethyl (SP)
\nRimsulfuron
\nRotenone
\nSaflufenacil (SP)
\nSebuthylazine
\nSethoxydim
\nSpinetoram
\nSpinosad
\nSpirodiclofen
\nSpiromesifen
\nSpirotetramat (SP)
\nSpirotetramat (Sum)
\nSpirotetramatenol-glucoside
\nSpirotetramat-enol
\nSpirotetramat-ketohydroxy
\nSpirotetramat-monohydroxy
\nSpiroxamine
\nSulcotrione
\nSulfosulfuron
\nSulfotep
\nSulfoxaflor
\nTebufenozide
\nTeflubenzuron
\nTepraloxydim (SP)
\nTerbufos
\nTerbufos (Sum)
\nTerbufos Sulfone
\nTerbufos Sulfoxide
\nTFNA
\nTFNG
\nThiabendazole
\nThiacloprid
\nThiamethoxam
\nThiamethoxam (Sum)
\nThidiazuron
\nThifensulfuron-methyl
\nThiobencarb
\nThiocyclam
\nThiodicarb
\nThiofanox
\nThiofanox Sulfone
\nThiofanox Sulfoxide
\nThiophanate-methyl
\nTolfenpyrad
\nTolylfluanid (SP)
\nTolyfluanid (Sum)
\nTriasulfuron
\nTriazophos
\nTriazoxide
\nTrichlorfon
\nTricresyl phosphate
\nTricyclazole
\nTridemorph
\nTrifloxystrobin
\nTriflumizole (SP)
\nTriflumizole (Sum)
\nTriflumizole FM-6-1
\nTriflumuron
\nTriforine (SQ)
\nTriticonazole
\nVamidothion
\nZoxamide<\/p>\n

\"Fish
\nPhthalates \u2014 Testing Details<\/p>\n

Phthalates are linked to a range of adverse health effects in numerous studies involving both animals and humans. They are especially concerning because phthalates are associated with disruption of the endocrine hormone system. Hormones act at extremely low concentrations and play essential roles in development\u2013determining how cells, tissues, and organs form\u2013as well as in metabolism, reproduction, and immune function; even small disruptions can therefore have outsized biological consequences. Epidemiological studies have shown that phthalate exposure can alter hormone levels in ways that interfere with these critical processes. Several health outcomes associated with phthalate exposure are summarized below.<\/p>\n

Mamavation\u2019s EPA-certified lab tested for the following phthalates. This is not a complete list of all the phthalates that are allowed to be present as an indirect food additive according to the FDA, however, this list goes above and beyond what is already restricted by the European Union or the State of California.<\/p>\n

Diethyl phthalate (DEP)
\nDi-n-propyl phthalate (DPP)
\nDiisobutyl phthalate (DIBP)
\nDibutyl phthalate (DBP)
\nDihexyl phthalate (DnHP)
\nBenzyl butyl phthalate (BBP)
\nDicyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP)
\nDiisononyl phthalate (DINP)
\nDi-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP)
\nDiisodecyl phthalate (DIDP)
\nbis(2-Ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP)
\nDimethyl phthalate (DMP)
\nBis(2-propylheptyl) Phthalate (DPHP)
\nDidecyl phthalate (DDP)<\/p>\n

\"Omega-3s
\nHeavy Metals: Lead, Cadmium, Mercury & Arsenic \u2014 Testing Details<\/p>\n

Our EPA-certified laboratory tested each Omega-3 and DHA supplement for the following metals:<\/p>\n

lead,
\narsenic,
\ncadmium,
\nmercury<\/p>\n

Mamavation then adjusted the lab results to align with California\u2019s Proposition 65 by converting them into micrograms per day (ug\/day) based on typical serving sizes. California uses some of the most health-protective exposure limits in the country.\u00a0Instead of banning products outright, Proposition 65 requires companies to warn consumers when exposure to certain harmful chemicals exceeds established safety thresholds.<\/p>\n

Proposition 65 has set \u201csafe harbor\u201d levels for several heavy metals tested in this study, including arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury. When exposures go above these levels, companies selling products in California must provide a warning label to inform consumers of potential risks related to cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.<\/p>\n

This approach is designed to put information directly in consumers\u2019 hands, enabling informed choices about what they use and encouraging companies to reduce harmful contaminants whenever possible.<\/p>\n

Here are the No Significant Risk Levels (NSRL) and the Maximum Allowable Dose Levels (MADL) established by the State of California for the heavy metals we tested:<\/p>\n

Arsenic: 0.06 ug\/day (inhalation), 10 ug\/day (except inhalation)
\nCadmium: 0.05 ug\/day (inhalation), 4.1 ug\/day (oral)
\nLead:\u00a00.5 ug\/day level for reproductive toxicity, 15 ug\/day (oral) for carcinogens
\nMercury: no established levels in California, so the Federal maximum contaminant level for mercury would be followed instead.<\/p>\n

\"Omega-3s
\nMamavation\u2019s Raw Data From Our EPA-Certified Laboratory Ranked<\/p>\n

Mamavation sent two sets of six Omega-3s & DHA supplements to different EPA-certified laboratories looking for traces of contaminants:<\/p>\n

500+ pesticides (which is more comprehensive than other testing we\u2019ve seen)
\nGlyphosate
\n40 PFAS \u201cforever chemical\u201d analytes, such as PFOA & PFOS. (This is different from our other studies, where we measured total organic fluorine.)
\nHeavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury, & arsenic)
\nPhthalates<\/p>\n

If you would like to support our efforts, you can do so by making a tax-deductible donation here<\/a>\u00a0through Environmental Health Sciences. You can also support our efforts by shopping our affiliate links.\u00a0Please note that\u00a0the links below are affiliate links, and any purchases will help fund our testing and allow us to do more testing in the future.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Product Brands We Tested<\/p>\n

To help our community make safer choices, Mamavation sent multiple popular Omega-3s & DHA supplement brands to EPA-certified laboratories for contaminant testing. We also included several additional products selected by our community to give consumers a broader picture of what families are already purchasing. All products were evaluated for pesticides, PFAS, glyphosate, heavy metals, and phthalates.<\/p>\n

Below is the complete list of women\u2019s multivitamin brands included in our investigation.<\/p>\n

Omega-3s & DHA Supplements Tested by Mamavation<\/p>\n

FullWell Women\u2019s Fish Oil with DHA & EPA
\nNeeded Omega-3 Pro Dietary Supplement
\nNordic Naturals Ultimate Omega
\nNordic Naturals Prenatal DHA
\nRitual Omega-3 DHA+EPA from Microalgae Dietary Supplement
\nThorne Prenatal DHA Dietary Supplement<\/p>\n

To view the results of this investigation, click here<\/a> and sign up for a FREE Mamavation membership. This will also give you access to thousands of other lab results on the site. Paid membership options will remove all ads and pop-ups and help us pay for future testing.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Not Our Favorite Omega-3s and DHABetter Omega-3s and DHABest Omega-3s and DHA<\/p>\n

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