The Certificate of Analysis (COA) is the single most important document in a psyllium husk import transaction. It tells you exactly what is in the product, verifies it meets your specifications, and provides the documentation your regulatory team needs. Here's how to read one correctly.
What Is a COA?
A COA is a document issued by a qualified laboratory that certifies the test results for a specific batch of product. A credible COA will show: product name, batch number, manufacturing date, test methods, results, and pass/fail status against specifications.
Key Parameters to Check
Purity / Swelling Factor: This is the most critical parameter for psyllium husk. The swelling factor (swelling volume in ml/g) measures how much water the psyllium absorbs — this is what makes it effective as a dietary fiber supplement. USP specifies: not less than 9 ml/g for psyllium husk powder and not less than 40 ml/g for whole psyllium husk. Higher is better.
Moisture Content: Should be ≤10%. High moisture indicates improper drying or storage, which leads to caking, degradation, and microbial risk.
Total Ash: Should be ≤4.0%. High ash indicates contamination with sand or soil — a sign of poor quality raw material.
Acid Insoluble Ash: Should be ≤1.0%. This measures silica/sand content specifically. Values above 1% indicate significant contamination.
Heavy Metals: EU regulations (EC 1881/2006) specify maximum limits for Lead (≤0.1 mg/kg for supplements), Cadmium (≤0.05 mg/kg), Mercury (≤0.1 mg/kg), Arsenic (≤0.1 mg/kg). A COA must show results below these limits.
Microbiology: Essential parameters include Total Plate Count (≤100,000 CFU/g for food grade), Yeast & Mold (≤1,000 CFU/g), E. coli (absent in 1g), Salmonella (absent in 25g). Pharmaceutical grade has stricter limits.
Pesticide Residues: EU requires comprehensive pesticide screening per Regulation (EC) 396/2005. Japan requires testing against the Japan Positive List. US buyers should verify against EPA/FDA limits.
What to Watch For — Red Flags
(1) COA from the supplier's own lab without third-party verification — always request third-party lab COA for first orders, (2) Missing parameters — a COA missing heavy metals or pesticide data is incomplete, (3) No batch number — batch-specific COA is essential; generic "spec sheet" COAs are inadequate, (4) Old dates — COA should be from the specific batch you're ordering, not a historical sample.
Third-Party vs. In-House COA
For first orders, always request both the in-house COA (from the supplier's lab) and a third-party COA from an accredited external laboratory (SGS, Intertek, Bureau Veritas, or equivalent). This eliminates any conflict of interest.
At Amar Herbal Origins, we provide in-house COA with every shipment and can arrange third-party testing through accredited labs at the buyer's request.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a COA for psyllium husk and why is it important?
A Certificate of Analysis (COA) is a laboratory document that certifies the test results for a specific batch of psyllium husk. It confirms purity, moisture, ash content, heavy metals, microbiology, and pesticide residues. Every reputable psyllium husk supplier should provide a batch-specific COA from a third-party accredited laboratory with every shipment.
What swelling factor should psyllium husk have on a COA?
For whole psyllium husk: minimum swelling factor of 40 ml/g per USP/Ph. Eur. standards. For psyllium husk powder: minimum 50 ml/g. Higher swelling factor = higher purity and better fiber functionality. Premium grades from Amar Herbal Origins typically show 45–55 ml/g for whole husk.
What heavy metal limits should be on a psyllium husk COA?
EU Regulation (EC) 1881/2006 requires: Lead ≤0.1 mg/kg, Cadmium ≤0.05 mg/kg, Mercury ≤0.1 mg/kg, Arsenic ≤0.1 mg/kg for supplement ingredients. A complete psyllium husk COA must show results for all four heavy metals below these limits. US buyers should also check USP General Chapter <232> limits.
Should I request an in-house or third-party COA from a psyllium husk supplier?
For first orders, always request BOTH: the supplier's in-house COA AND a third-party COA from an accredited external lab (SGS, Intertek, Bureau Veritas, or equivalent). This eliminates conflict of interest and verifies the results independently. For ongoing relationships, in-house COA with periodic third-party verification is standard.
Amar Herbal Origins processes premium 99% purity whole husk and fine powders. We hold ISO 22000, USDA/EU Organic, Kosher, and Halal certifications.