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Market guide · UKMatcha lab tests for the UK: what to ask your supplier
The tests UK brands and importers usually request for matcha, what each one checks, and how to make sure the report matches your batch.
UK matcha buyers should ask for a batch COA plus accredited lab results for pesticide residues against UK limits, heavy metals, microbiology, pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) and anthraquinone. Tea is a known risk category for PAs and anthraquinone, so reports should match the batch code you will receive.
The main tests explained
| Test | What it checks | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Pesticide residues | Multi-residue screen of active substances | Tea is regularly sampled against legal limits |
| Heavy metals | Lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury | Legal limits apply to food |
| Microbiology | Total count, yeast and mould, pathogens | Food safety |
| Pyrrolizidine alkaloids | Toxins from weeds mixed into the harvest | Maximum levels set for dried tea |
| Anthraquinone | Contaminant linked to drying and smoke | Residue limit applies to tea |
What a good supplier provides
- A COA for each batch, with a batch code matching the bag.
- Reports from an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory.
- Willingness to test the specific batch before shipment if you require it.
Limits change. Confirm current UK requirements with your food safety adviser or port health authority before import.
- Ask for batch-matched reports, not generic certificates.
- PAs and anthraquinone are the tests most often missing.
- Agree the required tests before the order is produced.
Frequently asked questions
What lab tests should matcha have for the UK?
Ask for pesticide residues against UK limits, heavy metals, microbiology, pyrrolizidine alkaloids and anthraquinone, from an accredited laboratory.
What are pyrrolizidine alkaloids in tea?
Natural plant toxins that can enter tea when certain weeds are harvested with the leaves. Maximum levels apply to dried tea.
Should the lab report match my batch?
Yes. A generic or old report does not show the quality of the batch you receive. Ask for results linked to the batch code.
Related: second matcha supplier checklist · request product documents