Safety, Allergens & Special Diets

Are your vitamins third‑party tested and what does that mean?

Yes, Perelel's vitamins are third-party tested—meaning every single batch is independently verified by an accredited lab with no financial stake in the results. Stephanie Lauri explains that Perelel adheres to California's Proposition 65, "one of the strictest consumer protection regulations in the world," with limits that are "often 1,000 times stricter than those set by the FDA, EPA, and WHO." Third-party testing means that an independent, ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited laboratory—not Perelel itself—verifies that every batch meets or exceeds safety standards for heavy metals, contaminants, and potency. Many of Perelel’s products have also been awarded the Clean Label Project certification, meaning those products are tested for nearly 200 pesticides and endocrine-disrupting chemicals like BPA, placing them in the top 33% of their category for purity.

Are your softgels or capsules kosher/halal?

Perelel's capsules are made from vegetable cellulose (HPMC), which is generally considered suitable for both kosher and halal diets, though formal certification has not been publicly confirmed in their available content. The Omega DHA + EPA softgel, which is derived from anchovies, would require specific kosher or halal certification to be considered compliant under those dietary frameworks. For formal certification status, it's recommended to contact Perelel directly at [email protected], as dietary certification requirements vary by certifying body and specific product formulation. 

Are artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners used?

No—Perelel's vitamins are formulated without artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners. Kayte Angell explains that many conventional vitamins contain "artificial colors and dyes added to make products appear more appealing, bright, or uniform," along with titanium dioxide—a whitening agent "that has been restricted or banned in some countries due to concerns about genotoxicity." She also flags artificial sweeteners as unnecessary ingredients that "can affect gut health and may not be suitable for everyone." Perelel uses clear vegetable cellulose capsules "made of hypromellose (HPMC), a plant-derived substance," specifically because they're free from dyes and artificial ingredients.

Can I take prenatals if I have MTHFR polymorphisms?

Yes, you can absolutely take prenatals with MTHFR—but the form of folate in your prenatal matters critically. Dr. O'Connor explains that "up to 60 percent of women have a gene variation called MTHFR, which interferes with their ability to properly metabolize folic acid." This means that a standard prenatal containing synthetic folic acid may be largely ineffective for a significant portion of women. The solution is straightforward: choose a prenatal that uses 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) instead of synthetic folic acid. This active, methylated form "bypasses that step altogether" and is readily absorbed regardless of MTHFR status. Dr. O'Connor also notes that some women with MTHFR may benefit from higher folate doses—making it important to discuss your specific situation with your healthcare provider. Perelel's full prenatal line uses only 5-methyltetrahydrofolate across every stage—Conception Support Pack for pre-conception, 1st, 2nd, or 3rd Trimester Prenatal Pack during pregnancy, or the Mom Multi Support Pack postpartum—all providing the active methylated form that works regardless of genetic makeup.

Are there heavy metal limits for prenatals and fish oil?

Yes, heavy metal limits exist and Perelel holds itself to the strictest available standard—California's Proposition 65, which is up to 1,000 times stricter than FDA and WHO limits. Stephanie Lauri explains that heavy metals like lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic are naturally occurring in the earth's crust and therefore unavoidably present in trace amounts in plant-based ingredients and mineral sources. To put this in perspective: "you would need to take almost an entire box of Perelel's 1st Trimester Pack every day to go above the daily heavy metal limits"—specifically 24 daily packs to hit the arsenic limit and 27 packs to hit the lead limit. For fish oil specifically, Perelel sources omega-3s from anchovies "because they have lower metal levels compared to larger fish species like tuna or salmon," and every batch is tested by ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited labs. Perelel's Omega DHA + EPA Fish Oil is sourced from small-fish anchovies and independently tested for heavy metals, making it one of the safest fish oil options available for pregnancy—with test results available via Certificate of Analysis (COA) on request.

This article is for informational purposes only. It is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and we recommend that you always consult with your healthcare provider. To the extent that this article features the advice of physicians or medical practitioners, the views expressed are the views of the cited expert and do not necessarily represent the views of Perelel.