A better way to feel better.
From oils and tinctures to tea bags and kombucha, cannabidiol (CBD) has become a staple in health and wellness routines. Many of us have embraced the potential benefits of this powerful cannabinoid, whether for reducing common anxiety, easing everyday aches and pains, or getting a restful night’s sleep—but do you really know what’s in your CBD?
According to info recently released by the FDA, more than half of the CBD products reviewed were inaccurately labeled; in many cases, products contained significantly more or less CBD than stated on the packaging. This could indicate that the companies weren’t performing proper testing on their products. So, how do you know you’re getting a safe, high-quality, and pure product that contains what’s on the label?
The good news is that some CBD companies are doing their part to make sure you’re getting exactly what you paid for by incorporating various CBD oil testing methods.
If you’re not sure what to look for when it comes to CBD oil testing methods, don’t sweat it. We’ve laid out everything you need to know about best practices for CBD oil testing methods. From hemp plant testing to third-party quality, safety, and purity testing, you’ll know exactly what to look for when buying CBD oil.
In the CBD industry, there aren’t specific, across-the-board standards for CBD oil testing methods. However, it’s best practice to perform testing at each phase of the CBD oil production process.
It all starts with the hemp—chances are you won’t find a high-quality CBD oil that comes from a poor-quality hemp plant. Whether performed internally or through a third-party partner, CBD companies should perform hemp plant testing as well as extraction testing. The final step of testing should be performed by a third-party lab and should be a comprehensive assessment of quality, profile, and potency.
Here’s what to look for from each stage of the triple-testing process.
Hemp Plant Testing
For starters, you should look for CBD oils that are derived from US-grown hemp that is grown with best hemp farming practices—this typically means they use organic farming practices.
Federally legal cannabis plants, otherwise known as hemp plants, legally must contain less than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Hemp plant testing is typically performed by the CBD oil company’s farming partner. This test should confirm that THC levels are below 0.3% and also test for any potentially harmful pesticides. They should be looking for the presence of things like:
Microbiological contamination, such as salmonella, yeast, and molds
Heavy metals, like arsenic and mercury, and mycotoxins
Pesticides
Extraction Testing
After hemp plants pass their initial quality assurance test, CBD and other cannabinoids are extracted from the hemp plant plant and may be formulated with a carrier oil at this stage. Regardless, the oil should be retested to confirm it’s under the 0.3% THC limit in addition to a comprehensive profile and potency test—this determines the plant’s unique cannabinoid makeup. The extraction testing should also include an additional round of testing for contaminants and residual solvents.
Third-Party Quality, Safety, and Purity Testing
Third-party testing for quality, safety, and purity is one of the most important steps of the testing process. CBD oil companies should have every batch of CBD oil tested through a third-party lab and should provide a detailed summary of the results in the form of a Certificate of Analysis. If a company isn’t providing this, that’s a huge red flag!
This testing ensures purity and consistency of the oil and should test for things like cannabinoid and terpene profile, potency, pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals, microbiological contaminants, and residual solvents.
Our products are formulated with only the purest ingredients. From sourcing to packaging, we act intentionally to ensure quality, safety, and sustainability. Our products are grown with care and are hand-harvested by Colorado farmers following organic farming practices. With our rigorous triple-testing of every batch of our oils and double-testing of our mints, we guarantee to deliver only the highest quality products possible. No mysteries here—you can just scan the QR code on the bottom of your CBD product and view the detailed test results or take a look at batch results here.
Still have questions about our CBD oil testing methods? Feel free to give our CX team a ring for all things CBD!
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. 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 should never be relied upon for specific medical advice.
To learn more about CBD oil testing methods or what Feals can do for you, call our CBD hotline at 844-311-9090 or check out our products today.
