Is it safe to consume AFA blue green algae from Klamath Lake?

Like spirulina, AFA (Aphanizomenon flos-aquae) is also a freshwater blue-green alga commonly harvested from Klamath Lake Oregon. In its pure whole living state, there are many health benefits like Spirulina however the problem is that it is impossible to find pure fresh AFA algae for sale in this form.

There are many confirmed reports of toxicity and (microcystins) in Klamath Lake (a watershed) which has been a major cause for concern. Klamath Lake has been used to support the federal Klamath Project for irrigation by local farmers for a century. Boats, oil discharges, contamination by chemicals in fertilizers, pesticides, animal slurry, crop residues, and irrigation water) are common so companies are required by the FDA to kill the algae before selling to its customers.

They do this by spinning the algae in a high-speed centrifuge separator which ruptures all the cells. The mixture is then frozen for 6 months to 4 years before it can be sold to the public.

Spirulina, on the other hand, has been given the FDA GRAS certification to which AFA has never received and most likely never will. Raw Living Spirulina has a high concentration of clean bioavailable nutrients and living enzymes. Why, because we grow in indoor sealed greenhouses under controlled conditions using clean high alkaline water.