FDA Report Evaluates the accuracy of CBD products labeling
As more and more states have been legalizing products derived from cannabis, food and medication administration (FDA) was eager to answer the question: how many of these product labels do they accurately report their content?
Throughout the United States, legislators have been increasingly legalizing cannabis products, allowing their consumption for medical purposes and, in some cases, of recreational use.
However, with greater legalization, specialists have expressed concern regarding potential risks, particularly those related to the use of unregulated cannabis products.
These products may contain one or two of the main active compounds present in cannabis: cannabidiol (CBD) and Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
While both substances interact with the same receptors in the human body once ingested, they can produce different effects. While it is unlikely that the CBD leads to a ‘high’, the THC is a psychoactive substance that can cause this response.
Until now, products containing CBD have not been consistently regulated. Recently, the Food and Medicines Administration (FDA) has been working to address this problem, to help protect consumer health.
The Agency recently presented a report to the United States Representatives Chamber Committee and the United States Senate Assignments Committee.
This report surveyed products containing CBD. Its objective was to determine whether product labels accurately represent their content of cannabis substances.
Baded CBD content, not specified THC
The FDA analyzed 147 products of products that claim to contain CBD, which were marketed for human or pets. They carried out these inspections between 2014 and 2019.
Initial laboratory tests were held between 2014 and 2018, during which the agency tested 78 products. The FDA selected products for tests based on manufacturers or vendors that did not consider credible.
Specifically, the agency examined the products manufactured by companies known by:
• Make health statements without foundation
• Sell reported products as cause of adverse effects
• Sell online products
• Produce and sell products in several states
Of the 78 products, 88% contained cannabinoids, although only 86% claimed to contain CBD. A large number of products analyzed also included THC or cannabinoids, which were not revealed on the label.
In 2019, the FDA also tested 41 cosmetic products marketed with CBD. Of these, 14 showed a specific CBD concentration on the labels. However, eight contained ‘less than 80% of the indicated amount of CBD’, according to the report.
Only four of the 14 products contained ‘within 20% of the specified amount of CBD’, and two products had more than 120% of the amount of CBD included in the list.
The analysis also revealed that of the 41 cosmetics containing CBD, 12 products also contained THC, although this substance was not specified in their labels.
In addition, in 68 cosmetics that claimed to contain hemp oils, the tests revealed that ‘did not contain measurable cannabinoids’.
The FDA also tested 31 products to detect possible contamination with toxic heavy metals, although it discovered that none contained dangerous concentrations of these substances. However, they constantly wasting their CBD and THC content.
Therefore, 10 of the 31 products did not specify how much CBD contained. And in the 21 who did, only seven had a concentration of CBD within 20% of the amount indicated in their labels.
‘Of the 10 products that did not indicate the amount of CBD included in the product, six contained CBD and four no,’ also specifies the report.
‘In addition, 15 of the 31 products (48%) contained THC’, add.
Future tests to include lubricants, buffers.
From the total sample of 147 products, 102 indicated a specific CBD content on their labels. Of these, the FDA researchers found that only 45% of the products ‘contained CBD within 20% of the indicated quantity’. They also point out that 49% contained THC or THCA, without indication of this on their labels.
Although the sample size for this report is small, the FDA indicates that its work has just begun and intends to expand their research to include more types of products.
‘The FDA has developed a sampling methodology to create a random sample representative of the current CBD products market’, indicates the report.
After this report, the FDA intends to evaluate the products containing CBDs of a wide range of products, including conventional food and drinks, personal lubricants, tampons and suppositories.
The agency expects to start this study later in 2020.
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