Which Omega-3s & DHA supplements contain the lowest levels of potentially harmful contaminants, including pesticides, heavy metals, PFAS “forever chemicals,” 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’ve trusted Mamavation to bring you consumer studies like (1) safest cooking oils tested for phthalates, (2) safest water filters to filter PFAS, (3) safest Vitamin D supplements, and (4) safest women’s multivitamins; now join us for a consumer study testing Omega-3s & DHA for pesticides, PFAS “forever chemicals,” phthalates, & heavy metals.
Disclosure: This consumer study is released in partnership with Environmental Health News. Note that Mamavation has only “spot-checked” 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 here through Environmental Health Sciences. Thank you! Copyright © 2026 Mamavation — All Rights Reserved
Table of Contents
Mamavation’s EPA-Certified Laboratory Finds Heavy Metals, PFAS, Pesticides, & Phthalates in Popular Omega-3s & DHA Supplements
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’s the outcome of contaminants that were found according to our labs:
- 100% of Omega-3s & DHA supplements contained ortho-phthalates. That’s 6 out of 6 products.
- Total phthalate levels ranged from 117 ppb to 6,193 ppb.
- No 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.
- None of the Omega-3s & DHA supplements we tested had detectable levels of glyphosate at the lowest standardized level.
- None of the Omega-3s & DHA supplements we tested had detectable levels of 500+ other pesticides.
- None of the Omega-3 and DHA supplements we tested contained any PFAS chemicals.
Contaminants Included in Mamavation’s EPA Certified Laboratory Testing
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 “intentionally added” and would instead be considered more of a contaminant from manufacturing, transportation, storage, and/or agricultural practices. However, just because these contaminants are not “intentionally added” doesn’t mean they won’t affect your health over time and with repeated use. With regular, long-term use, even low-level contaminants can matter for health. That’s why independent testing and transparent sourcing practices are important for both consumers and the companies they trust.
Our labs tested for the following contaminants and found some of them present in the Omega-3s & DHA we tested to varying degrees:
- 40 specific PFAS “forever” chemicals
- Glyphosate
- 500+ additional Pesticides
- Phthalates
- Lead — heavy metal
- Arsenic — metaloid
- Cadmium — heavy metal
- Mercury — heavy metal
PFAS “Forever Chemical” Analytes Tested, Including PFOA & PFOS
PFAS “forever chemicals” 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 “forever chemicals:”
- Reduction in immunity
- Reduced vaccination response
- Increased risk of allergies & asthma in young children
- Affected growth, learning, and behavior of infants and older children
- Increase cholesterol levels
- Metabolic diseases like obesity & diabetes
- Cardiovascular disease
- Lowered a woman’s chance of getting pregnant
- Lowered male fertility
- Increased risk of kidney & testicular cancers
- Causes endocrine disruption
- Disrupted normal thyroid function
- Increases risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children
- Cancer
It’s also very clear based on biomonitoring evidence from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) that PFAS are in virtually all Americans. Therefore, these exposures can harm most Americans.
For this investigation, we elected to test for forty specific PFAS analytes listed below using EPA method 1633:
- Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA)
- Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA)
- Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA)
- Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA)
- Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
- Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA)
- Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA)
- Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA)
- Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA)
- Perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTriA)
- Perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTeA)
- Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS)
- Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid (PFPeS)
- Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS)
- Perfluoroheptanesulfonic Acid (PFHpS)
- Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS)
- Perfluorononanesulfonic acid (PFNS)
- Perfluorodecanesulfonic acid (PFDS)
- Perfluorododecanesulfonic acid (PFDoS)
- Perfluorooctanesulfonamide (FOSA)
- NMeFOSAA
- NEtFOSAA
- 4:2 FTS
- 6:2 FTS
- 8:2 FTS
- NEtFOSA
- NMeFOSA
- NMeFOSE
- NEtFOSE
- 9Cl-PF3ONS
- HFPO-DA (GenX)
- 11Cl-PF3OUdS
- ADONA
- 3:3 FTCA
- 5:3 FTCA
- 7:3 FTCA
- NFDHA
- PFMBA
- PFMPA
- PFEESA
Glyphosate — Testing Details
Glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl) glycine] is the active ingredient in glyphosate-based herbicides (GBH) and is the most popular herbicide in the world. Its environmental presence increased sharply after the introduction of “Roundup Ready” 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.
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 increase antibiotic resistance.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified glyphosate as a probable carcinogen, and California lists it under Proposition 65 for cancer and reproductive harm.
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—making independent testing a critical safeguard.
To evaluate potential exposure, Mamavation sent six Omega-3s & DHA supplements to an EPA-certified laboratory for testing. Samples were analyzed for glyphosate and AMPA using liquid chromatography–mass 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.
500+ Additional Pesticide Laboratory Tests for Vitamin D Supplements — Testing Details
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:
- 2,4,6-Trichloroanisole
- 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol
- 2-phenylphenol (SP)
- 8-hydroxyquinoline (SP)
- Acetochlor
- Acrinathrin
- Alachlor
- Aldrin
- Alpha Endosulfan
- Alpha-HCH
- Ametryn
- Anthraquinone
- Atrazine
- Beflubutamid
- Benalaxyl
- Benfluralin
- Beta Endosulfan
- Beta-HCH
- Bifenazate-Bifenazate Diazene
- Bifenox
- Bifenthrin
- Biphenyl
- Bitertanol
- Bromophos-ethyl
- Bromophos-methyl
- Bromopropylate
- Bupirimate
- Captan
- Captan (Sum)
- Carbophenothion
- Chinomethionat
- Chlordane (Sum)
- Chlorfenapyr
- Chlorfenson
- Chlorfenvinphos
- Chlormephos
- Chlorobenzilate+Chloro propylate
- Chlorothalonil
- Chlorotoluron
- Chlorpropham
- Chlorpyrifos
- Chlorpyrifos-methyl
- Chlorthal-dimethyl
- Chlorthion
- Cinidon-ethyl
- Cis-Chlordane
- Cyfluthrin
- Cyproconazole
- Cyprodinil
- DDD-pp+DDT-0p
- DDT (Sum)
- DEET
- delta-HCH
- Deltamethrin
- Desethyl atrazine
- Diafenthiuron
- Diazinon
- Dichlobenil
- Dichlofenthion
- Diclobutrazol
- Dicloran
- Dicofol (Sum)
- Dicofol 0,p
- Dicofol p,p
- Dicrotophos
- Dieldrin
- Dieldrin (Sum)
- Dicofol o,p
- Dicofol p,p
- Dicrotophos
- Dieldrin
- Dieldrin (Sum)
- Difenoconazole
- Diflufenican
- Dimefox
- Dimoxystrobin
- Diniconazole
- Dinobuton
- Diphenylamine
- Disulfoton (SP)
- Disulfoton (Sum)
- Disulfoton Sulfone
- Disulfoton Sulfoxide
- Ditalimfos
- Endosulfan (Sum)
- Endosulfan-Sulphate
- Endrin
- EPN
- Epsilon-HCH
- EPTC
- Ethalfuralin
- Ethion
- Ethofumesate (SP)
- Ethoprophos
- Etridiazole
- Etrimfos
- Fenarimol
- Fenazaquin
- Fenchlorphos (SP)
- Fenchlorphos (Sum)
- Fenchlorphos Oxon
- Fenitrothion
- Fenpropathrin
- Fenson
- Fenthion (SP)
- Fenthion Oxon
- Fenvalerate
- Flucythrinate
- Flumetralin
- Fluopicolide
- Fluopyram
- Fluotrimazole
- Flutamone
- Fluvalinate
- Folpet
- Folpet (Sum)
- Fonofos
- Furalaxyl
- Heptachlor (SP)
- Heptachlor (Sum)
- Heptachlor Epoxide A
- Heptachlor Epoxide B
- Heptenophos
- Hexachlorobenzene
- Hexaclorobutadiene
- Hexacanazole
- Iodofenphos
- Iprobenfos
- Iprodione
- Iprovalicarb
- Isazofos
- Isofenphos
- Isophenfos-methyl
- Kresoxim-methyl
- Lambda-Cyhalothrin
- Lindane
- Malaoxon
- Malathion (SP)
- Mefenpyr Diethyl
- Mepronil
- Metalaxyl-M (Mefenoxam)
- Methacrifos
- Methidathion
- Methacrifos
- Methidathion
- Methoxychlor
- Metribuzin
- Mevinphos
- Mirex
- Molinate
- Myclobutanil
- Naled
- Naled (Sum)
- Napropamide
- Nitrofen
- Nitrothal Isopropyl
- Nuarimol
- o,p-DDD
- o,p-DDE
- Ofurace
- Oxadixyl
- Oxychlordan
- Oxyfluorfen
- p,p-DDT
- p,p-DDE
- Paraoxon Methyl
- Paraoxon-ethyl
- Parathion Methyl (SP)
- Parathion Methyl (Sum)
- Parathion-ethyl
- Parathion-ethyl (Sum)
- Penconazole
- Pendimethalin
- Pentachloroaniline
- Pentachloroanisole
- Pentachlorobenzene
- Pentachlorobenzonitrile
- Pentachlorophenol
- Permethrin
- Phenthoate
- Phorate
- Phosalone
- Phthalimide
- Piperonyl butoxide
- Pirimiphos-ethyl
- Pirimiphos-methyl
- Procymidone
- Profenofos
- Profluralin
- Prometryn
- Propazine
- Propetamphos
- Propyzamide
- Prothiofos
- Pyrazophos
- Pyridaben
- Pyridaphenthion
- Pyrifenox
- Pyrimethanil
- Pyriproxyfen
- Quinalphos
- Quintozene
- Quintozene (Sum)
- Silthiofam
- Simazine
- Tebuconazole
- Tebufenpyrad
- Tecnazene
- Tefluthrin
- Terbacil
- Terbumeton
- Terbuthylazine
- Terbuthylazine Desethyl
- Terbutryn
- Tetrachlorvinphos
- Tetracanazole
- Tetradifon
- Tetrahydrophthalimide (THPI)
- Tetramethrin
- Tetrasul
- Thiometon
- Tolclofos-methyl
- Trans-Chlordane
- Transfluthrin
- Triadimefon
- Triadimenol
- Tri-allate
- Triamiphos
- Trifluralin
- Uniconazole
- Vinclozolin
- Zeta-cypermethrin
The second group was analyzed using the LC-MS/MS technique for 360 pesticides and included the following:
- 3-OH carbofuran (SQ)
- Abamectin
- Acephate
- Acequinocyl
- Acetamiprid
- Acibenzolar-S-methyl (SP)
- Alcarb (SP)
- Aldicarb (Sum)
- Aldicarb Sulfone
- Aldicarb Sulfoxide
- Ametroctradin
- Aminocarb
- Amitraz (SP)
- Atrizine Desisopropyl
- Azaconazole
- Azadirachtin
- Azamethiphos
- Azimsulfuron
- Azinphos-ethyl
- Azinphos-methyl
- Azocyclotin and Cyhexatin (SQ)
- Azoxystrobin
- Ben-Carb-TPN (Sum)
- Bendiocarb
- Bentazone (SP)
- Bentazones-methyl
- Benthiavalicarb
- Bioallethrin
- Bixafen
- Boscalid
- Bromacil
- Bromoxynil (SP)
- Bromuconazole
- BTS 44595
- BTS 44596
- Buprofezin
- Butachlor
- Butocarboxim
- Butoxicarboxim Sulfoxide
- Butralin
- Buturon
- Cadusafos
- Carbaryl
- Carbendazim and Benomyl
- Carbetamide
- Carboxin (SP)
- Carfentazone-ethyl (SP)
- Chloratraniliprole
- chlorbromuron
- Chlorfluazuron
- Chloridazon
- Chloroxuron
- Chlorsulfuron
- Chlorthiophos
- Clethodim (SP)
- Clethodim Sulfoxide
- Clofentezine
- Clomazone
- Clopyralid
- Clothianidine
- Coumaphos
- Crimidine
- Cyanazine
- Cyantraniliprole
- Cyazofamid
- Cyclanilide
- Cycloate
- Cycloxydim (SP)
- Cyenopyrafen
- Cyflufenamid
- Cyflumetofen
- Cyhalofop-butyl
- Cymoxanil
- Cyromazine
- Demeton S
- Demeton-S-methyl
- Demeton-S-Methylsulfone
- Demeton-S-sulfoxide
- Desmedipham
- Desmetryn
- Dialifos
- Dichiofluanid
- Dichlormid
- Dichloroprop
- Dichlorvos
- Diclofop (SP/SQ)
- Diclofop (Sum)
- Diclofo-methyl (SP/SQ)
- Diethofencarb
- Diflubenzuron
- Dimefuron
- Dimethachlor
- Dimethenamid-P
- Dimethoate
- Dimethoate (Sum)
- Dimethomorph
- Dimethylaminosulfotoluidide (DMST)
- Dinotefuran
- Diuron
- DNOC
- Dodemorph
- Dodine
- Edifenphos
- Emamectin B1a
- Epoxiconazole
- Ethaboxam
- Ethiofencarb
- Ethiofencarb sulfone
- Ethiofencarb sulfoxide
- Ethiprole
- Ethirimol
- Ethoxyquin (SQ)
- Etofenprox
- Etoxazole
- Famoxadone
- Fenamidone
- Fenamiphos (SP)
- Fenamiphos (Sum)
- Fenamiphos Sulphone
- Fenamiphos Sulphoxide
- Febnuconazole
- Fenbutatin oxide
- Fenhexamid
- Fenobucarb
- Fenoxycarb
- Fenpiclonil
- Fenpropidin (SP)
- Fenpropimorph
- Fenpyrazamine
- Fenpyroximate
- Fensulfothion
- Fensulfothion Oxon
- Fensulfothion Oxon Sulfone
- Fensulfothion Sulfone
- Fenthion (Sum)
- Fenthion Oxon Sulfone
- Fenthion Oxon Sulfoxide
- Fentin (SP/SQ)
- Fenuron
- Fipronil (SP)
- Fipronil (Sum)
- Fipronil Sulfide
- Fipronil Sulfone
- Flamprop
- Flazasulfuron
- Flonicamid (SP)
- Flonicamid (Sum)
- Florasulam
- Fluazifop-methyl (SP)
- Fluazifop-P (SP)
- Fluazifop-P-butyl (SP)
- Fluazinam
- Flubendiamide
- Fludioxonil
- Flufenacet
- Flufenacet (Sum)
- Flufenacet ESA
- Flufenacet OA
- Flufenoxuron
- Flumioxazin
- Fluometuron
- Fluoxastrobin
- Flupyradifurone
- Fluquinconazole
- Fluoxypyr (SP)
- Fluroxypyr-meptyl
- Fluroxypyr-meptyl
- Flusilazole
- Flutolanil
- Flutriafol
- Fluxapyroxad
- Foramsulfuron
- Forchlorfenuron
- Formetanate (SP)
- Formothion
- Fosthiazate
- Fuberidazole
- Halosulfuron methyl
- Haloxyfop (Sum)
- Haloxyfop-2-ethoxyethyl
- Haloxyfop-methyl (SP)
- Haloxyfop-R (SP)
- Hexaflumuron
- Hexazinone
- Hexythiazox
- Imazalil
- Imazapic
- Imazappic
- Imazapyr
- Imidacloprid
- Indaziflam
- Indoxacarb
- Iodosulfuron-methyl (SP)
- Ioxynil (SP)
- Isocarbophos
- Isoprocarb
- Isoprothiolane
- Isoproturon
- Isopyrazam
- Isoxaben
- Isoxathion
- Ivermectin
- Lenacil
- Linuron
- Lufenuron
- Mandipropamid
- Matrine
- MCPA (SP)
- Mecarbam
- Mepanipyrim
- Meptyldinocap
- Mesosulfuron-methyl
- Mesotrione
- Metaflumizone
- Metamitron
- Metazachlor (SP)
- Methiocarb (Sum)
- Methoprotyne
- Methoxyfenozide
- Metobromuron
- Metolachlor and S-Metolachlor
- Metolcarb
- Metoxuron
- Metrafenone
- Metsulfuron-methyl
- Milbemectin SQ (Sum)
- Milbemycin A3 (SQ)
- Milbemycin A4 (SQ)
- Monocrotophos
- Monolinuron
- monuron
- Neburon
- Nicosulfuron
- Nitenpyram
- Norflurazon
- Novaluron
- Omethoate
- Oxadiargyl
- Oxydiazon
- Oxamyl
- Oxasulfuron
- Oxathiapiprolin
- Oxycarboxin
- Paclobutrazol
- Pencycuron
- Penthiopyrad
- Phenmedipham
- Phorate (Sum)
- Phorate Oxon
- Phorate Oxon Sulfone
- Phorate Oxon Sulfoxide
- Phorate Sulfone
- Phorate Sulfoxide
- Phosmet (SP)
- Phosmet (Sum)
- Phosmet oxon
- Phosphamidon
- Phoxim
- Picolinafen
- Picoxystrobin
- Pinoxaden
- Pirimicarb
- Pirimicarb Desmethyl
- Pirimicarb Desmethyl Formamide
- Prochloraz (SP)
- Prochloraz (Sum)
- Promecarb
- Propachlor
- Propamocarb (SP)
- Propanil
- Propaquizafob
- Propargite
- Propham
- Propiconazole
- Propoxur
- Proquinazid
- Prosulfocarb
- Prosulfuron
- Prothiocaonazole
- Pydiflumetofen
- Pymetrozine
- Pyracarbolid
- Pyraclostrobin
- Pyraflufen
- Pydiflumetofen
- Pymetrozine
- Pyracarbolid
- Pyraclostrobin
- Pyraflufen
- Pyraflufen-ethyl (SP)
- Pyraflufen-ethyl (Sum)
- Pyridalyl
- Pyridate (SP)
- Quinclorac
- Quinoxyfen
- Quizalofop-ethyl (SP)
- Rimsulfuron
- Rotenone
- Saflufenacil (SP)
- Sebuthylazine
- Sethoxydim
- Spinetoram
- Spinosad
- Spirodiclofen
- Spiromesifen
- Spirotetramat (SP)
- Spirotetramat (Sum)
- Spirotetramatenol-glucoside
- Spirotetramat-enol
- Spirotetramat-ketohydroxy
- Spirotetramat-monohydroxy
- Spiroxamine
- Sulcotrione
- Sulfosulfuron
- Sulfotep
- Sulfoxaflor
- Tebufenozide
- Teflubenzuron
- Tepraloxydim (SP)
- Terbufos
- Terbufos (Sum)
- Terbufos Sulfone
- Terbufos Sulfoxide
- TFNA
- TFNG
- Thiabendazole
- Thiacloprid
- Thiamethoxam
- Thiamethoxam (Sum)
- Thidiazuron
- Thifensulfuron-methyl
- Thiobencarb
- Thiocyclam
- Thiodicarb
- Thiofanox
- Thiofanox Sulfone
- Thiofanox Sulfoxide
- Thiophanate-methyl
- Tolfenpyrad
- Tolylfluanid (SP)
- Tolyfluanid (Sum)
- Triasulfuron
- Triazophos
- Triazoxide
- Trichlorfon
- Tricresyl phosphate
- Tricyclazole
- Tridemorph
- Trifloxystrobin
- Triflumizole (SP)
- Triflumizole (Sum)
- Triflumizole FM-6-1
- Triflumuron
- Triforine (SQ)
- Triticonazole
- Vamidothion
- Zoxamide
Phthalates — Testing Details
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–determining how cells, tissues, and organs form–as 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.
- Weight gain & obesity
- Shorter height
- Precocious puberty
- Asthma
- Allergies
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Lower IQ
- Social impairment
- Type II diabetes and insulin resistance
- Poor cardiovascular health
- Thyroid function and increased risk of thyroid cancer
- Females: pregnancy loss and preterm birth, low birth weight, earlier menopause
- Males: genital development, semen quality, reduced “masculine” play, Inhibits testosterone production, Shortened anogenital distance, or shortened “taint” , Shortened length of penis
Mamavation’s 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.
- Diethyl phthalate (DEP)
- Di-n-propyl phthalate (DPP)
- Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP)
- Dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
- Dihexyl phthalate (DnHP)
- Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP)
- Dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP)
- Diisononyl phthalate (DINP)
- Di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP)
- Diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP)
- bis(2-Ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP)
- Dimethyl phthalate (DMP)
- Bis(2-propylheptyl) Phthalate (DPHP)
- Didecyl phthalate (DDP)
Heavy Metals: Lead, Cadmium, Mercury & Arsenic — Testing Details
Our EPA-certified laboratory tested each Omega-3 and DHA supplement for the following metals:
- lead,
- arsenic,
- cadmium,
- mercury
Mamavation then adjusted the lab results to align with California’s 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. Instead of banning products outright, Proposition 65 requires companies to warn consumers when exposure to certain harmful chemicals exceeds established safety thresholds.
Proposition 65 has set “safe harbor” 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.
This approach is designed to put information directly in consumers’ hands, enabling informed choices about what they use and encouraging companies to reduce harmful contaminants whenever possible.
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:
- Arsenic: 0.06 ug/day (inhalation), 10 ug/day (except inhalation)
- Cadmium: 0.05 ug/day (inhalation), 4.1 ug/day (oral)
- Lead: 0.5 ug/day level for reproductive toxicity, 15 ug/day (oral) for carcinogens
- Mercury: no established levels in California, so the Federal maximum contaminant level for mercury would be followed instead.
Mamavation’s Raw Data From Our EPA-Certified Laboratory Ranked
Mamavation sent two sets of six Omega-3s & DHA supplements to different EPA-certified laboratories looking for traces of contaminants:
- 500+ pesticides (which is more comprehensive than other testing we’ve seen)
- Glyphosate
- 40 PFAS “forever chemical” analytes, such as PFOA & PFOS. (This is different from our other studies, where we measured total organic fluorine.)
- Heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury, & arsenic)
- Phthalates
If you would like to support our efforts, you can do so by making a tax-deductible donation here through Environmental Health Sciences. You can also support our efforts by shopping our affiliate links. Please note that the links below are affiliate links, and any purchases will help fund our testing and allow us to do more testing in the future.
Product Brands We Tested
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.
Below is the complete list of women’s multivitamin brands included in our investigation.
Omega-3s & DHA Supplements Tested by Mamavation
- FullWell Women’s Fish Oil with DHA & EPA
- Needed Omega-3 Pro Dietary Supplement
- Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega
- Nordic Naturals Prenatal DHA
- Ritual Omega-3 DHA+EPA from Microalgae Dietary Supplement
- Thorne Prenatal DHA Dietary Supplement
To view the results of this investigation, click here 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.
Safest Baby Wipes Tested for PFAS “Forever Chemicals” & Organic Fluorine