The massive hype and success around CBD and hemp has brought a lot of good, and bad. The hype has brought several fake CBD brands that are just following the money. These so-called ‘snake oil’ companies are selling CBD that are not manufactured under current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), which help to ensure that all products are consistently produced and controlled according to specified quality standards. cGMP helps guard against risks of adulteration, cross-contamination and mislabelling to guarantee product quality, safety, and efficacy.
CBD products without cGMP regulations are often inaccurately labelled and deceiving to consumers. In a test of over 100 CBD products available online and at retail locations, Johns Hopkins Medicine found significant evidence of inaccurate, misleading labelling of CBD content. The prevalence of such brands not only reduces consumer confidence in CBD but also limits the growth of CBD industry.
Snake oil brands sell products that are not produced under cGMP conditions and are typically not tested by third-party laboratories to ensure identity, purity, quality, strength, and composition. This means they are not verified for contaminants, impurities, label claims and product specifications. This frequently results in misleading advertising with inaccurate levels of cannabinoids or traces of compounds not found on the label, like THC.
Snake oil CBD brands put anything in a bottle and make unsubstantiated medical claims that hurt the reputable operators that strive to create safe and high-quality products. It is easy for consumers to be drawn to CBD products with big medical claims and lower prices, only to be disappointed when the product does not produce the advertised results.
There are several simple ways to identify fake CBD products and make certain that both consumers and retailers purchase quality, reliable and safe brands in legitimate sales channels. Consumers should avoid all CBD products that are marketed with unsubstantiated medical claims. Brands that relate any form of CBD product to a disease state, like cancer, should not be trusted. The science to support such medical claims has not been completed. Unsupported medical claims could also mislead consumers that may need more serious medical intervention.
Additionally, consumers must review the packaging, which should include nutrition information in the form of a supplement fact label. The label should include the serving size, number of servings per container, a list of all dietary ingredients in the product and the amount per serving of each ingredient. All labels should include a net quantity of contents, lot number or batch ID, the name and address of the manufacturer, and an expiration or manufacturing date. These signs of a reputable brand are easy to look for and can save consumers from the trouble of selecting the wrong CBD product.
Reputable CBD companies are already compliant with the FDA regulations on nutritional supplements, including a nutritional or supplement fact panel on the packaging—just like vitamins. The information in this panel should include all the active cannabinoids in the product, both per serving and package. Clear potency labelling allows consumers to confidently select products that suit their needs and understand the baseline impact of CBD concentration on their bodies, thus helping them to tailor their experience with thoughtful product selection.
Reputable brands also include a convenient QR code on the packaging, linking the product to a certificate of analysis that details the testing results to demonstrate compliance with product standards and label claims. In terms of specific ingredients, consumers should be sceptical of high concentration levels of “flavour of the month” minor cannabinoids, which are often associated with unsubstantiated medical claims. Current scientific research has set its focus on major cannabinoids like CBD and Delta-9 THC, leaving additional research necessary for understanding minor cannabinoids. Minor cannabinoids are typically included in full spectrum products at concentrations found naturally in the cannabis plant, which is a safer approach to consuming CBD until more research is completed.
Consumers should not let the existence of unreliable, untrustworthy brands put them off the CBD industry. There are many high-quality, safe, and trusted brands on the market. With knowledgeable consumers and retailers can easily select top-quality CBD products that millions of consumers have found to improve many aspects of their health and well-being.
