In this episode of The OG Spice Guy, HQO VP Jonathan Raju sits down with Alec Garcia, Founder and Managing Partner of New Wave Scientific, to uncover what’s really happening behind the scenes of the spice industry. From heavy metals in cinnamon and the truth about gluten-free spices to evolving industry standards and cutting-edge food safety testing, this conversation uncovers the realities of what’s on your spice rack. Jonathan and Alec pull back the curtain on spice adulteration, pantry staple shortages, and the problem with overtesting, while explaining how High Quality Organics goes above and beyond to ensure every ingredient on your plate meets the highest standards of safety, transparency, and trust.

We Explore:

🔬How are Spices Tested?

🫚 Heavy Metals in Spices (?!)

✅ How HQO Ensures Safety First for Customers

🧄 Gluten in Spices

🌶️ Organic Paprika Prices

🧂 Pesticide Protections

🫑 What's Next for Spice Testing

➡️ New Wave Scientific: https://newwavescientific.com/

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🌱 High Quality Organics (HQO)

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💼 LinkedIn: high-quality-organics

🌐 Website: https://hqorganics.com

💬 Ready to source premium, transparent, responsibly grown herbs and spices? Visit our website or reach out to the HQO team today.