Yes it's good to be careful. BUT this is stuff purchased through a reputable company that has gone to great lengths to assure it's cleanliness. I'm familiar with the product but there is controversy in one area that I know of and that is does it really get used by the body because the outer shell may be undigestible by humans. Don't know if the anecdotal evidence is placebo or real. I certainly hope no one out there would actually go to a pond or lake and scoop up some scum and drink it. Den