Purity And Third-Party Testing
Interested in purchasing the purest, highest-quality hemp extracts you can possibly find? Of course you are! Packed with an array of potential benefits, CBDA and other cannabinoid products have become one of the most popular ways to naturally support wellbeing.
Here’s the thing, though. All hemp extracts are not created equal. While hemp is very much legal in the U.S., the FDA has yet to establish any regulations pertaining to hemp-derived extracts such as CBDA oil. Basically, this means that anyone can produce, market and sell cannabinoid products that claim to be high quality when they’re really anything but.
Unfortunately, in a highly unregulated industry anything goes. The result? Several companies selling cannabinoid products that aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. Whether this is a dishonest company offering products that don’t contain cannabinoid amounts stated on the label, or a brand pushing products that contain contaminants such as pesticides, mold and heavy metals, the highly unregulated hemp extract industry is brimming with inferior brands passing off subpar products.
Not exactly what most consumers are expecting when they purchase cannabinoid products. Finding responsible companies offering pure, holistic products can be difficult, even for those that are familiar with hemp products! So how do you find a product you can trust?
Introducing third party lab testing, one of the most important things to consider when purchasing any hemp-derived cannabinoid product.
What Is Third Party Testing…And Why Is It So Important?
Third party testing are tests performed on hemp extracts by an independent lab. A company sends a sample of their product to an independent lab, who then runs a series of tests for quality and purity. The third-party lab then provides the results of what it finds.
Third party lab tests are the only way to know that you’re getting a pure, quality cannabinoid product you can trust. These tests are as close to any regulation you can get when it comes to hemp-derived extracts like CBDA and other cannabinoids. Honestly, the only companies you should trust are the ones that offer third party lab tests for their products. Not only do third party lab tests provide accurate results regarding purity, quality and consistency, but also increase the credibility and transparency of a company.
What exactly do third party labs test for? Quite a few things, actually. All of which are of the utmost importance in ensuring you’re receiving the purest, highest-quality hemp extract you possibly can.
Check it out.
Third Party Lab Testing Checklist
- Cannabinoids
The cannabinoid profile is the most common test run by third party labs. Testing labs use advanced technology to determine cannabinoid concentration in pure extracted hemp oil, testing levels of CBDA, CBD, CBN, THC, CBG and more. These tests verify that the amount of CBDA or CBD listed on the label equates to the amount that is actually in the oil. Cannabinoid profile testing also ensures that THC levels do not exceed the legal limit of .03%.
- Terpenes
Responsible for the aroma of several plants, including cannabis, terpenes are naturally occurring plant compounds that contain their own therapeutic potential. Testing for terpenes is most common in full spectrum extracts, as they are removed during processing when creating CBD isolate. Processing broad spectrum extracts, where THC is removed, can also disrupt the delicate balance of a full terpene profile. Typically, companies that offer full or broad spectrum hemp extracts are the ones that test for terpene profiles. This ensures that the product contains all the naturally occurring compounds found in hemp that contribute to the entourage effect.
- Residual Solvents
There are several ways to remove hemp’s desirable oil from the plant. Solvents such as butane, ethanol, alcohol are sometimes used to create hemp extracts. Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction has become increasingly more common because it doesn’t use these toxic solvents in the extraction process. At Tay’s, we bypass the use of any solvents whatsoever through cold-pressed extraction techniques, which results in an extract as close to nature as you can possibly find.
Third party labs often test for any residual solvents that may be lingering in hemp extract. Some of these include propane, butane, ethanol, chloroform and more. Not exactly the most holistic ingredients and definitely not what you want in a product intended to maintain optimal wellness. Third party lab testing for residual solvents safeguards that the extract you’re receiving is free from these toxic byproducts.
- Pesticides
At Tay’s, the hemp used to create our full spectrum CBDA extract is grown organically the way nature intended. This means that we don’t use any pesticides, herbicides or fungicides during cultivation. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case with all companies, and these pesticides can make their way into the extracted oil. Third party labs commonly test for the presence of pesticides, offering consumers the peace of mind that their product is pure and doesn’t contain any lingering pesticides that may have been used during cultivation.
- Mold and Bacteria
Third party labs also test for biological contaminants such as mold, bacteria, fungi and parasites that might’ve contaminated the plant during cultivation. If these biological contaminants are present in the plant, it’s very probable they contaminate the end product. Third party lab testing offers the assurance that hemp extracts are free from these potentially harmful impurities.
- Heavy Metals
Hemp is extremely adept at a process known as phytoremediation, meaning it absorbs anything in the soil in which is planted. Hemp is actually so beneficial at phytoremediation that it was planted in abundance at the Chernobyl nuclear disaster site to absorb radioactive waste.
Testing for heavy metals by third party labs is vital to ensure that there are zero of these dangerous compounds in extracted hemp oil. Heavy metals are a detriment to human health and have no business being in a product used to maintain wellness. Mercury, lead, arsenic and cadmium are some of the most common heavy metals that are tested for by third party labs. Third party lab test results offer the peace of mind that hemp extracts don’t contain any traces of these volatile substances.
Last Thoughts on Third Party Testing
Looking for a holistic hemp extract that’s pure and effective? The only way to ensure you’re purchasing hemp extract that meets the gold standard for purity and effectiveness is insisting on those that have undergone testing by independent third party labs.
Although unfortunate, mislabeling and contamination in hemp extracts is more common than you might think. Whether false label claims with inaccurate cannabinoid levels (including the detection of illegal THC levels) or contaminated products that contain heavy metals, mold, bacteria and more, not all hemp extracts are the quality they claim to be.
Third party testing isn’t required, but it has become an industry standard employed by credible companies that care about their customers. Transparent companies you can trust will offer these lab test results on their website or QR code on the package, which give consumers the capability to determine the purity of a product before purchase.
Keep in mind that although hemp is legal, the CBD industry is still highly unregulated. Until regulation is established, third party lab testing is the only way to ensure you’re receiving a quality hemp extract you can trust.
