Our food supply is contaminated and we cannot rely on government agencies to solve the problem for us. Exploitative agricultural practices, prioritizing scale and efficiency above all have wreaked havoc on our environment, leading to mass degradation of minerals from our soil, and nutrients from our food.
On top of that, these practices have put our food supply up against contamination from microplastics, heavy metals, pesticides, and other harmful substances. Sadly, these are invisible toxins, making it extremely difficult for the average consumer to manage.
So what’s a smart consumer to do?
Vote with your dollars! As consumers, we hold purchasing power. Purchase from companies that you trust which can provide detailed descriptions both on what is in their products and what is not in their products. Third-party testing can do this, but claiming “third-party tested” is not sufficient. You should be be aware of what brands are testing for and how they are measuring those results.
Third-party testing
In order to validate that our products always match our label claims, and that they’re free from the invisible toxins which have found their way into our food supply, we meticulously test each batch.
Why spend the time, energy, and funds to third-party test? When we founded Equip, we decided that our entire product suite would be best-in-class, and all decisions we make ladder up to that standard—no matter what. We want to set the standard for safety and transparency in an industry often shrouded in mystery.
By engaging third-party labs, we reinforce our promise to provide our customers with products that are not only effective but also safe for consumption.
What we test for
We implement comprehensive testing protocols that screen for various contaminants known to compromise food quality and safety. Here are the key substances we test for:
- Heavy metals. We specifically look for arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead. These metals can infiltrate food through environmental factors, including soil contamination and water sources. Their presence in food items can pose serious health risks if accumulated over time.
- Microplastics, BPA, and BPS. Microplastics, BPA, and BPS leach into food products during processing and packaging. They are pervasive in our environment and can be introduced during handling or storage.
- Pesticides and glyphosate. The use of pesticides in agriculture raises concerns over food safety. We assess our ingredients to confirm they do not contain harmful residual chemicals. Glyphosate, a widely used herbicide, has come under scrutiny for its potential health hazards, making it a no-brainer for us to test for its presence.
- Mycotoxins and molds. Mold and mold by-products can develop on various crops and pose serious health risks.
- Microbiological. Have you noticed the uptick in outbreaks and recalls? We certainly don’t want to put our community at risk. Pathogenic bacteria can wreak havoc on health, and regular testing allows us to mitigate the risk of contamination.
- Analytes (a measure of composition). Last but nowhere near least, we want to make sure you’re getting what you think you’re getting. We validate protein claims and the quality of other essential nutrient levels in our products. It’s our commitment that what is on our labels matches what’s inside.
So, Equip products won’t have any of these contaminants?
Unfortunately, chemicals don’t stay where factory farmers put them, and things like molds and heavy metals are natural components of even the cleanest air, water, and soil. Even the highest-quality, organic, whole-food products can contain trace amounts of contaminants — this is simply the reality of our environment.
Take lead for example:
- Some lead is present in the earth’s crust as part of soil composition. Concentrations vary depending on location.
- If an organic field is near aging factories or older barns, it’s likely that lead has leached into the soil.
- Lead from industrial emissions, even at a distance from a farm, can travel through the air and settle onto organically grown crops and soil.
- If an organic field is irrigated with older plumbing, it’s possible that corroded lead pipes deliver water to the field.
Many fruits and vegetables straight from the organic produce section have lead levels far higher than we would accept from our suppliers. In fact, many organic foods test higher for heavy metals than non-organic. This can be a function of organic fertilizer sources containing higher levels of heavy metals, soil history, plant-defence mechanisms, and more. Take an organic avocado for example (typical values in mcg per medium avocado):
- Arsenic: 0.4mcg
- Cadmium: 2.0mcg
- Lead: 1.0mcg
- Mercury: 0.2mcg
Or an organic sweet potato (typical values in mcg per medium sweet potato):
- Arsenic: 1.5mcg
- Cadmium: 1.3mcg
- Lead: 1.1mcg
- Mercury: 0.3mcg
In contrast, these are the results from a recent test of our Prime Protein Vanilla (values per serving):
- Arsenic: 0.093mcg
- Cadmium: 0.038mcg
- Lead: 0.424mcg
- Mercury: <0.001 (not detected)
While certifications may ensure products are free from one set of toxins, they could be higher in others! Our priority at Equip is always to vet each ingredient supplier carefully through third-party testing and work with those that test the best. Testing trumps expensive certifications for us – but if they have both, great!
As a consumer, the key is minimizing potential exposure where we can. We dream about the day when total elimination of contaminants becomes a reality. Until then, at Equip, we are committed to ensuring our products are truly best-in-class when it comes to third-party testing – and we share those results with you transparently!
Our commitment to third-party testing goes beyond industry standards. We aim to set the standard in the industry for purity and safety, and rigorous analysis is non-negotiable. The goal here isn’t just to meet regulations — it’s to give you the utmost confidence that you’re choosing the cleanest, most trustworthy option available.
How do we measure results?
We report our test results in ppb (parts per billion) or mcg (micrograms), not ppm (parts per million) like some brands. This distinction is crucial—ppm measurements are 1,000 times less precise than ppb. To visualize this difference: measuring in ppm is like identifying a single drop of water in a 13-gallon bucket, while ppb pinpoints that same drop in a 13,000-gallon bucket. When monitoring substances that can be harmful at microscopic levels, this precision matters tremendously. Our ppb standard provides the detailed information you need to make truly informed decisions about what you consume.
Our Commitment
Third-party testing is an essential pillar of our commitment to safety, transparency, and above all, continuous improvement — for ourselves and the supplements industry as a whole. Our commitment to our customers is to be truly best-in-class, both for what we test for and how we test (our results). Most other brands simply test for microbiological and claim “Third Party Tested”, but they don’t share results when asked. Others test for heavy metals and pesticides but do some on a parts per million basis. We encourage everyone to do their research, ask brands for COAs, make sure it is from an accredited facility, and push to see results on an mcg or parts per billion basis. We want to set the bar high and force others to level up in doing so — better food and supplements for all!
Testing is not a one-time event, but an ongoing commitment. We share all our testing Certificates of Authenticity with customers, because if any community cares about what they’re putting into their bodies, it’s our Equip community. We closely monitor our results and strive for ways to improve - that can mean working with suppliers to level up their sourcing, or working with an entirely new partner.
The goal is that you, as a consumer, feel empowered and informed about how you are your purchasing power, and what you are putting into your body.
We know our community is discerning and we are dedicated to earning and keeping your trust. And the best way we know how to do that is to exceed industry standards to ensure that every product you receive is the quality you expect from us. We are grateful for the community we’ve built and we aim to make good on our promises, every time.
Where can I see test results?
We’re working to publish live testing results for every product directly on our product pages - but there’s a lot of technical work for us to figure out here! You’ll see version one of this on our Prime Protein product page as an example. In the meantime, please email us at hello@equipfoods.com and let us know which product(s) you would like to see COAs for! We will send those over promptly.
