By Dr. Bob McCauley
A Certificate of Analysis – COA – is issues for every food supplement that is produced 
and/or imported in to the country. As a supplier of Taiwan Chlorella and Spirulina, we are obligated to provide that to every company that we sell wholesale to. We cannot import Chlorella or Spirulina in to the country without provide a COA to both US Customs and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
A COA gives you an overall snapshot of the product it is offered for. For instance, the one attached to this BLOG is from Taiwan Chlorella Manufacturing Company who we import our Chlorella from. The COA comes with every batch of chlorella we import. It demonstrates that the batch of chlorella we are purchasing has had Protein, Minerals (ash), Moisture and Chlorophyll measured so that they come up to standards. For instance, if the Protein would show a result below 55% total weight, the chlorella would be determined to be unacceptable and we would reject it. Other elements we consider is bacteria, Total Plate Count, which also must be at acceptably low levels. E. Coli, which comes from animal feces, must be zero. Pheophorbides, which are a derivative of chlorophyll, must be controlled properly to low level in chlorella or it can cause photodermatitis, skin welts that appear when a person is exposed to sunlight and the pheophorbides react with sunlight. Therefore, it is imperative that you test for these levels in chlorella and spirulina to be absolutely certain they are below 60 mg/liter (ppm). When it company that sells chlorella refuses to release their COA it is definitely a concern. What might they be hiding?
Another important thing to look for is the amount of heavy metals found in the product they are offering. Lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic and aluminum are always scrutinized, as they should be. Aluminum is not even regulated and most companies do not test for it. This is why we always run our own third-party metals tests.
Yet, we find that many companies do not offer a COA with the products they sell. Some of them tell me that the producer that they buy from does not allow them to release the COA to the public, which is absurd to say the least. If any company you purchase a supplement such as chlorella, spirulina or an herbal extract from refuses to release their COA – DO NOT BUY ANYTHING FROM THEM. That is my advice.
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Dr. Bob’s Blog is not intended as medical advice. The writings and statements on this website have not reviewed and/or approved by the FDA. Our products are not meant to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Rather they are meant to demonstrate that aging can be slowed and even reversed and that Great Health achieved when the most fundamental nutritional needs of the human body are met. Always consult a medical doctor or other medical professional when you consider it necessary.
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About Bob McCauley
Bob McCauley, ND (Robert F., Jr.) was raised in Lansing, Michigan and attended Michigan State University (BA, 1980 in Journalism). He is a naturopathic doctor, Master Herbalist and a Certified Nutritional Consultant. He has traveled extensively, both domestically and abroad, visiting over 32 countries. He published Confessions of a Body Builder: Rejuvenating the Body with Spirulina, Chlorella, Raw Foods and Ionized Water (2000), Achieving Great Health (2005), The Miraculous Properties of Ionized Water, (2006) which is the only book on the market that exclusively addresses Ionized Water, Twelve (Fiction, 2007) and Honoring the Temple of God (2008). He considers himself a Naturalist, meaning he pursues health in the most natural way possible. He studies and promotes nature as the only way to true health.
From 2002-2004 he hosted the radio program Achieving Great Health, which was heard by thousands of people each day. His guests included some of the most well-known and respected names in the natural health world.
With the help of his father, Dr. Robert F. McCauley, Sr. (Doctorate in Environmental Engineering, MIT, 1953) they started Spartan Water Company in 1992, which sold vended water machines in supermarkets. Robert Jr. founded Spartan Enterprises, Inc. in 1993. He is a Certified Water Technician with the State of Michigan. He is also a Type II Public Water Supply Specialist and has the certifications of S-5 and D-5. The McCauley family has a long history in the water industry. Bob's father pioneered environmental issues regarding ground water and drinking water quality. He received his Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1953 for his thesis on removing radioactive strontium from water. He earned his doctorate in Environmental Engineering in less than 2 years, one of the shortest doctoral studies in the history of MIT. He taught civil, sanitary and environmental engineering at Michigan State University for 18 years before retiring to run Wolverine Engineers & Surveyors of Mason, Michigan, for 17 years. His reputation throughout Michigan as a water quality expert was legendary. Bob worked for his father's company for 12 years learning the water business, which dealt primarily with municipalities, including water quality and sanitary sewer issues.
After apprenticing with his father, Bob moved on to the bottled water business. He established greater Michigan's biggest selling bottled water: Michigan Mineral – Premium Natural Water. He was introduced to Ionized Water in 1995 and has done more to promote Ionized Water than anyone else in the industry. Bob often lectures and offers seminars on his Seven Component Natural Health Protocol .
Bob is a Certified Nutritional Consultant and a Certified Master Herbalist. He is also a 3rd Degree Black Belt and Certified Instructor of Songahm Taekwondo (American Taekwondo Association).
and/or imported in to the country. As a supplier of Taiwan Chlorella and Spirulina, we are obligated to provide that to every company that we sell wholesale to. We cannot import Chlorella or Spirulina in to the country without provide a COA to both US Customs and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).