Statements about 7-OH and kratom on this page have not been evaluated by the FDA. See the full disclaimer below.
A Certificate of Analysis (COA) is the single best tool for judging any kratom or kava product. It’s the lab’s record of what is actually in a batch. This guide walks through a typical COA section by section so you know what to look for.
For adults 21+. Kratom products are not approved by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
1. The header: who tested it and which batch
At the top of a COA you should find:
- Lab name and contact details. Look for an independent, third-party lab rather than an in-house report.
- Client name. The brand that submitted the sample.
- Sample or product name. It should clearly match the product you’re buying.
- Batch, lot, or sample ID. This links the report to a specific production run.
- Dates. When the sample was received and tested. Recent is better.
Tip: If the product packaging shows a lot number, it should match the lot on the COA.
2. Alkaloid profile
This section shows the measured alkaloid content, usually as a percentage of weight or in mg per gram.
- Mitragynine is the primary alkaloid in kratom. For extracts, compare this number to the “MIT %” on the label. See our Kratom Extract Potency Guide for what those percentages mean.
- 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) occurs naturally in very small amounts in the leaf. A good COA reports it explicitly, so you know exactly what you’re buying.
- Some extended panels also list minor alkaloids such as speciogynine, paynantheine and speciociliatine.
3. Heavy metals
Plants absorb minerals from soil, so reputable sellers test every batch for:
- Lead
- Arsenic
- Cadmium
- Mercury
Results are usually shown in parts per million (ppm) or micrograms per gram, often next to an action limit. Each result should be below its limit, or marked “ND” (not detected).
4. Microbiological testing
Because kratom is a dried botanical, it should be screened for:
- Salmonella: should read “Absent” or “Not Detected”
- E. coli: should read “Absent” or “Not Detected”
- Total yeast and mold: reported as a count (CFU/g) that should fall under the stated limit
- Total aerobic plate count: a general measure of microbial load
5. Pass/fail and signatures
Most COAs end with an overall result and the signature of the lab analyst or director. A missing signature, a blurry or cropped image, or a report with no batch number are all red flags.
Quick COA checklist
- Independent third-party lab?
- Product name and lot number match what you’re buying?
- Mitragynine result matches the label?
- 7-OH reported?
- Heavy metals below limits?
- Salmonella and E. coli absent; yeast and mold under limits?
- Recent test date and a signature?
See our lab results
We publish third-party lab reports for our products. Browse our kratom lab test results and our 7OH tablet lab tests. If you have questions about a specific batch, contact us. We’re happy to help.
Related reading: Kratom Strains Explained: Red, Green & White Vein Compared.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. For adults 21+ only.