What are the limits for microorganisms in the Contaminant Tested Proof Point

Product category

Total aerobic microbial count (colony-forming units per gram or millilitre)

Total combined yeasts and moulds (colony-forming units per gram or millilitre)

Specified micro-organisms

Source

Tablets, capsules and powders, including products containing herbal extracts

10³ (maximum 2,000)

10² (maximum 200)

Escherichia coli absent in 1 gram

European Pharmacopoeia chapter 5.1.4; Japanese Pharmacopoeia 18th edition, General Information G4-1, Table 2

Liquids

10² (maximum 200)

10¹ (maximum 20)

Escherichia coli absent in 1 millilitre

As above

Powdered whole plants, algae and fungi taken directly, and products where these are the main ingredient

10⁵ (maximum 500,000)

10⁴ (maximum 50,000)

Bile-tolerant gram-negative bacteria no more than 10⁴ per gram; Escherichia coli absent in 1 gram; Salmonella absent in 10 grams

Japanese Pharmacopoeia 18th edition, General Information G4-1, Table 3, category 2

Herbal teas and infusions prepared with boiling water

10⁷ (maximum 50,000,000)

10⁵ (maximum 500,000)

Escherichia coli no more than 10³ per gram; Salmonella absent in 10 grams

Japanese Pharmacopoeia 18th edition, General Information G4-1, Table 3, category 1