What To Look For When Reading Third-Party CBD Lab Results
It’s no secret that not all CBD products are the same, which is why it’s important to do your research, especially when reading third-party lab results on CBD products. Lab testing is essential when evaluating products that stem from an unregulated industry. Here’s what you need to know to begin your research.
The Importance of Lab Testing
In order to truly know what type of ingredients are compiled into a CBD product, you need to read third-party lab reports.
These reports outline the following:
- The overall purity of the product
- Harmful toxins that may be present
- Profiles of cannabinoid and terpene
Since the industry is not regulated, the only way to thoroughly investigate the authenticity of the CBD products you buy is to determine whether or not the company has invested in third-party lab reports. A reputable company will provide the results of the report upon request or even post it on the firm’s website to ensure complete transparency.
What Does Third Party Mean?
Anytime a company or a product is evaluated by a third party, this means that an objective and qualified expert is offering unbiased information related to the product. The individual or individuals involved in the testing are not endorsing nor negating the product. They are merely providing details and facts about the product and its contents.
Third party companies are independent organizations who not only review how a product has been created but also responsible for determining if CBD products meet standards based on performance, quality and safety. The process of compiling the report involves testing, formulations, facility inspections and material reviews. It’s a thorough process that is time consuming and often times, expensive. However, most reputable companies invest in this type of testing to showcase the authenticity of their products and ingredients.
What to Look For When Reading a Third-Party Report
A third-party lab report can be confusing to read if you don’t know what to look for in the content provided by the company. Let’s break it down.
Cannabinoid Profile and Potency Testing
When reviewing a third-party report for CBD products, it’s important to evaluate which cannabinoids – the chemical compound found in cannabis – were found during testing and the level of cannabinoids. In most cases, this part of the report separates cannabinoids by CBD, THC, CBG, CBC and CBN.
Pesticides, Heavy Metals and Solvents
Third-party reports on CBD products detail whether or not pesticides, mycotoxin, heavy metal or other toxins were present. In addition, the report identifies the presence of pentane, butane, propane and dangerous solvents. Typically, these toxins produce negative side effects and the reports denote presence based on acceptable limits within the product, noting a pass or fail rating.
Microbes
Millions of microbial organisms consume the world, but let’s face it – you don’t want CBD products with living organisms. As a general rule of thumb, if a third-party CBD product lab report finds the presences of microbes, it’s best to avoid the product line.
The bottom line is that the more informed you are about the type of CBD products you are using, the better the results. Take the time to evaluate and analyze third-party reports to make an informed decision about the CBD products you buy.