Fake MB brands have increased exponentially. Based on extensive experience CZTL is what we recommend

Fake MB brands have increased exponentially. Based on extensive experience CZTL is what we recommend

Background
We receive product photos from members asking if the brand is reliable/safe.
Unfortunately, there has been a rise in dubious MB brands of late - so we have tried to prepare a checklist to assist. It is not comprehensive, but it's a guide. 
When it comes to Methylene Blue, not all Methylene Blue is equal. Cheap can be dangerous.

Questions to answer before purchase
No
Questions
Answers/More Information
1
Does the brand provide a third party lab analysis of Class 1 impurities AT LEAST (i.e. Cadmium, Lead, Mercury, Arsenic)? 
These are highly carcinogenic and need to be controlled.
2
Is the third party test done in Europe or North America? 
Can the 3rd party be contacted if required?
Fake tests are very common - so a reputed third party lab is a must have
3
Are the 3rd party test results transparent or are they vague?Brands play with words to give users a false sense of security. Typical words include, complies/all OK/under threshold - etc.
4
Are there any reviews on neutral sites like Trust Pilot (etc)?
Amazon reviews may have a lot of paid/questionable reviews
5
How long has the brand been in the market?
Minimum required is 3 years. Most questionable brands launched in later half of 2023 (onwards)
6
Does the pricing make sense commercially?
If you are getting 10g for 20 USD it may seem cheap but it definitely ain't pharma grade. Genuine pharma grade starts around 8 USD/g and above
7
Are you paying for the product or the packaging?
Always remember to pay for the product and not beautiful packaging
8
Who is recommending the brand?
Are there any trustworthy sources recommending the brands.
9
Where is it made?
Pharma MB is primarily made in France, UK, India, US and some in Australia
10
Are there any reliable agencies/experts recommending the brand?

11
The heavy metal analysis is in percentage
This is a very common tactic where the values in the reports are in percentage and not ppm. You cannot compare ppm with percentages.

Checklist

USP Thresholds to confirm to
Description

Packaging
Should be opaque - light damages Methylene Blue
Heavy Metal - Arsenic
Less than 8 ppm or absent (equal to 8 ppm is not USP)
Heavy Metal - Lead
Less than 1 ppm or absent
Heavy Metal - Cadmium
Less than 1 ppm or absent
Heavy Metal - Mercury
Less than 1 ppm or absent

Notes
To convert powder values to 1% liquid; divide the value by 100 (for example if powder is 1 ppm; in 1% liquid form it become 0.01 ppm)

Commercials
  • Non USP grade MB is available for USD ~50/kg - it typically is brick red in color when in powder form
  • Cheapest USP pharma grade MB is for USD ~7000/kg - that is 7 USD/g - it is typically bronze (dark green with lustre) when in powder form

Above is not a comprehensive list. It is a guide for you to make a more informed decision. It is easier to distinguish between USP and non USP when in powder form - in liquid form there may be no visible difference to the naked eye.

InfoAt this point based on over 6 years of experience, feedback and using them CZTL is the only brand we feel comfortable in endorsing.
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    • Sticky Posts

    • Which brand of Methylene Blue should I purchase?

      Background We receive product photos from members asking if the brand is reliable/safe. Unfortunately, there has been a rise in dubious MB brands of late - so we have tried to prepare a checklist to assist. It is not comprehensive, but it's a guide. When