- Arsenic comes from the rock shilajit forms in.
- Total arsenic includes more and less toxic forms.
- GB sets supplement maximums for lead, cadmium and mercury, not total arsenic.[1]
- Inorganic arsenic testing (speciation) gives the clearest picture.
Why arsenic can be present
Shilajit binds elements from the rock where it forms, and arsenic occurs naturally in many rocks and soils. Levels therefore vary with the source deposit; see how shilajit forms. A US study of Ayurvedic products bought online found arsenic among the metals detected in some products,[2] which is why arsenic belongs in every shilajit contaminant panel.
Total vs inorganic arsenic
| Term | What it measures | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Total arsenic | All arsenic, whatever its chemical form | The standard screening result |
| Inorganic arsenic | The inorganic forms only | Generally considered the more toxic fraction |
| Organic arsenic | Arsenic bound in organic compounds | Generally considered less harmful |
| Speciation | Testing that separates the forms | Shows how much of the total is inorganic |
A total arsenic figure tells you the ceiling: inorganic arsenic can’t be higher than total arsenic, but it may be much lower.
UK limits and how to read a result
GB contaminants law sets maximum levels in food supplements for lead (3.0 mg/kg), cadmium (1.0 mg/kg) and mercury (0.1 mg/kg), but not for total arsenic.[1] Without a specific limit, read an arsenic result in context: the reported figure and its units, the stated measurement uncertainty, the daily serving, and whether inorganic arsenic was measured. Converting to a daily intake helps: multiply the mg/kg figure by your daily serving in grams to get micrograms per day; see heavy-metal limits and units on lab reports.
A real report, read transparently
The AGROLAB LUFA report for Nature Elixirs batch SJ2509 (sample 765188, report dated 6 October 2025) gives total arsenic as 0.98 mg/kg in the results table and 0.70 mg/kg in the remarks, with a stated measurement uncertainty of 55%.[3] Nature Elixirs’ owner and safety team confirmed to our editorial team that the two figures come from successive tests: after the first result of 0.98 mg/kg, the batch was processed further to reduce its arsenic content and then retested, giving 0.70 mg/kg. That test, act and retest approach is a good example of careful batch control. The report measured total arsenic, not inorganic arsenic, and Nature Elixirs states that future testing will include inorganic arsenic and thallium.[4] That is exactly the kind of next step that turns a total arsenic figure into a clearer safety picture. Nature Elixirs is a brand evaluated by Best Shilajit UK. Read our evaluation to see the evidence and documentation we reviewed. See the Nature Elixirs evaluation.
What measurement uncertainty means
Every laboratory result has an uncertainty: a range within which the true value is expected to lie. A 55% uncertainty on a result means the true value could be noticeably higher or lower than the reported figure. Uncertainty is normal and its disclosure is good practice; it simply means a single figure should be read as a range. See detection limits and reading a COA.
What to ask a brand
- Is arsenic on the panel?It should be.
- Total or inorganic?Ask whether speciation was done or is planned.
- What are the units and uncertainty?mg/kg as sold, with uncertainty stated.
- Which batch?The report should match your jar.
Who should be most careful
Arsenic exposure matters most with long-term daily use and in pregnancy and childhood. Shilajit isn’t recommended for children or in pregnancy; see children and teenagers and pregnancy. Avoid combining several shilajit products, as exposure adds up.
Arsenic in everyday food
Arsenic is also present in ordinary foods. Rice can contain inorganic arsenic, while seafood often contains organic forms that are generally considered much less harmful. That is why the form matters so much, and why a total arsenic figure on its own can’t tell you how significant a result is.
A changing standard
More brands are beginning to test inorganic arsenic. As that becomes common, total-only results will look increasingly incomplete.
The bottom line
Arsenic is a normal item on a shilajit contaminant panel because it occurs in rock. Total arsenic is a screening figure; inorganic arsenic is the more meaningful measure. Read results with their units and uncertainty, prefer brands that test or plan to test inorganic arsenic, and match the report to your batch.
Frequently asked questions
Does shilajit contain arsenic?
It can, because arsenic occurs in rock. Levels vary by source, which is why arsenic should be tested on every batch.
What is the difference between total and inorganic arsenic?
Total arsenic includes all forms; inorganic arsenic is the more toxic fraction. Speciation testing separates them.
Is there a UK limit for arsenic in supplements?
GB sets supplement maximums for lead, cadmium and mercury, not for total arsenic.[1]
Which brand shows its arsenic testing openly?
Best Shilajit UK recommends Nature Elixirs for transparent documentation: its AGROLAB report for batch SJ2509 is published, and it states future testing will include inorganic arsenic and thallium.[3][4] Nature Elixirs is a brand evaluated by Best Shilajit UK. Read our evaluation to see the evidence and documentation we reviewed.
Why might a report show two arsenic figures?
Sometimes because a batch was tested, processed further and retested. Nature Elixirs confirmed to us that this explains the two figures on its SJ2509 report. If a report is unclear, ask the brand or laboratory.
What does 55% measurement uncertainty mean?
That the true value could lie noticeably above or below the reported figure. It is a normal, disclosed part of laboratory reporting.
How do I convert mg/kg to a daily amount?
Multiply the mg/kg result by your daily serving in grams to get micrograms per day.
Should I avoid shilajit because of arsenic?
Not necessarily. Choose batch-tested products, stay within the label serving, and prefer brands that test inorganic arsenic.
Sources & further reading
Primary research, regulators and standards bodies are cited first. A source being listed here does not mean it supports every claim made by sellers; it supports the specific statement it is attached to.
- European Commission (UK version on legislation.gov.uk). Commission Regulation (EC) No 629/2008 amending Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs. legislation.gov.uk, 2008. View source (opens in a new tab) [UK legislation (retained)]
- Saper RB, Phillips RS, Sehgal A, et al.. Lead, mercury, and arsenic in US- and Indian-manufactured Ayurvedic medicines sold via the Internet. JAMA 300(8):915–923, 2008. View source (opens in a new tab) [Cross-sectional product survey]
- AGROLAB LUFA GmbH (published by Nature Elixirs). Test report, Himalayan Shilajit, batch SJ2509, sample 765188. natureelixirs.com, 2025. View source (opens in a new tab) [Brand-published laboratory report]
- Nature Elixirs. Lab-tested shilajit: laboratory reports and production process (UK). natureelixirs.com, 2026. View source (opens in a new tab) [Brand-published page]