CBD products are everywhere; whether shopping for cosmetics or vape pens, there are sure to be at least a few CBD-infused options available. The benefits of these products are claimed to be vast, including improvements for both mental and physical health.
With so many positive and useful benefits associated with the best CBD products, it is not surprising that CBD is attracting so much positive attention and hype. Unfortunately, this has also caused the CBD industry to become somewhat oversaturated.
While there are many excellent products available, there are also those that provide a terrible experience and can quickly put new CBD users off.
One of the most common problems within the CBD market is mislabeled products. Given the strict regulations governing the CBD industry, many people are shocked to learn how often these products are mislabeled.
Here are just a few of the most vital things to look out for when shopping for CBD products and how to spot mislabeled items.
What Is the Problem with Mislabeled Products?
Most western countries have strict laws and regulations that set out the standards for CBD products both in terms of their manufacturing and their labeling. For example, in the USA, the 2018 Farm Bill regulates CBD supplements on a federal level. The Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act, as well as the Public Health Service Act also set out the way in which these products should be sold and labeled.
Despite such strict regulations, the CBD industry is still a relatively new one, and the structures are not entirely in place to enforce all of the different laws regarding CBD products. A study carried out in 2017 found that of the 84 CBD products they purchased and tested, 69% of them were mislabeled in some way.
In 26% of the products tested, they contained less CBD than was claimed on the label. A further investigation carried out by the FDA in 2020 found that of the 147 products tested, 30% did not contain the amount of CBD that was claimed on the label.
These findings are worrying for a number of reasons. Firstly, they highlight an apparent lack of quality control and enforcement of regulations. Secondly, and perhaps most importantly, they also reduce customer confidence in the industry.
People should always be able to keep track of how much CBD they are consuming. Mislabeled products can cause people to over- or under consume. This is especially concerning for people who are using CBD to manage severe health conditions like epilepsy.
Some Products Do Not Even Contain CBD
Another worrying issue within the CBD industry is products mislabeled as containing natural CBD compounds but instead are made using a synthetic combination known as 4-CCB. The confounds 4-CCB does not interact with the body in the same way as CBD, and there have been a huge number of cases of people becoming sick from unknowing consuming it.
Synthetic CBD is not recommended by health and government bodies as being a safe alternative to CBD. In general, people are told to avoid the compound 4-CCB as the full extent of its effects on the human body is not understood.
CBD products are believed to have very few adverse effects, and even these tend only to occur when it is consumed in significant amounts. This is not the case with 4-CCB, which makes it a dangerous replacement for authentic CBD.
How to Spot Mislabeling on CBD Products
Unfortunately, the mislabeling of CBD products can sound scary and put many people off trying it. The good news is that there are many steps that can be taken to avoid these problems.
The first and simplest thing to do is to opt for brands that are known for their good reputation. CBD brands that have been established for a while and have thousands of positive reviews from customers are usually a good sign that products are labeled correctly.
Another essential thing to do when shopping is to take a few extra minutes to check each product’s ingredients and lab reports. The best CBD brands will always make the third-party lab reports for all of their products available for customers, allowing them to view before committing to a purchase.
Lab reports show a detailed breakdown of everything that has gone into the product and show that quality checks have taken place. Reports from third parties will show precisely how much CBD is contained in a product and whether it matches the labeling. Reports should also show if any synthetic compounds have been used.
Whether shopping for CBD products online or from a local health food store, it is always best to approach new brands with some level of caution. Taking a few extra steps to check the quality of a brand and its products will help you avoid mislabeling and a negative CBD experience.
