No, Queal contains only trace amounts of heavy metals well within safe EU limits. We rigorously test batches to ensure safety.
Comprehensive testing programme: Every single batch of our main ingredients - soy flour, oat flour, fava bean protein, brown rice protein, pea protein, isomaltulose, maltodextrin, and our oils - is tested for heavy metal content before use in production. This means nothing goes into Queal without verification that it meets strict safety standards. We also test our final products on occasion to have a final check.
EU regulatory compliance: All our ingredients are tested to comply with EU regulations on maximum levels of contaminants in food, including Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 (General Food Law), Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 (maximum residue levels for pesticides), and Regulation (EU) 2023/915 (maximum levels for contaminants). These regulations set strict limits for heavy metals like lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic in food products.
Why this matters: Heavy metals can naturally occur in tiny amounts in many foods, particularly plant-based ingredients, due to their presence in soil and water. The key is ensuring these levels remain far below any threshold that could impact health. Our batch-by-batch testing protocol, combined with sourcing from EU suppliers who must meet these same stringent standards, provides multiple layers of safety assurance. You can consume Queal with confidence knowing every bag has been verified to meet the highest safety standards.
Test results (October 2025):
| Analysis | Units | Results | Norm (supplements, EFSA) | Norm (FDA) |
| Arsenic | mg/kg | <0,10* | - | - |
| Cadmium | mg/kg | 0,022 | 1 | - |
| Mercury | mg/kg | <0,010* | 0,1 | - |
| Lead | mg/kg | <0,020* | 3 |
* “<” indicates the value is below the laboratory’s limit of quantitation (LOQ); actual levels are lower than stated.