How to Identify High-Quality CBD Products

 When buying CBD, it’s important to seek out the latest and most accurate information there is on the quality of your chosen CBD.

Due to the industry being mostly self-regulated, we were curious to learn how many of these CBD brands are being truthful in their label claims, which is why we commissioned Coral Reef Labs to carry out some comprehensive research into this.

 While our main hypothesis was proven to be correct, we were shocked by the extent to which many CBD companies are selling substandard products - indicating consumers are being misled by major manufacturers. 

 As a result, we’ve compiled a list of 8 reliable ways to identify if your CBD product is high-quality and ensure you get bang for your buck.

1. Look at the Third-Party Testing Results

Third-party testing is a process where an independent laboratory tests a CBD product to verify its potency, purity, and quality.  This is only a starting point as some manufacturers may only be using lab results from the beginning of the manufacturing process versus when it is completed.

The third-party test results typically provide:

Potency Information	Tells you how much CBD should be in the product if it is manufactured correctly.
Cannabinoid Profile	Tells you what other cannabinoids are present in the product.
Contaminants Information	Informs you if the product contains any harmful substances, such as heavy metals or pesticides.

  

Reviewing the third-party test results is an essential step in selecting a high-quality CBD product. You must verify that the product you’re interested in has been tested by an accredited and independent laboratory (one that doesn’t hold any stake in the CBD product).

Coral Reef labs recently conducted a randomized study, examining 16 CBD products that were purchased from large chain retailers and websites. The actual potency of cannabidiol (CBD) in the products were examined and compared to the milligram count listed on the label of each product.

The results of the study are included below:

Notably, the results showed that 43% (7 out of 16) of the products did not contain at least the amount of CBD that was advertised.

On the products that fell short, variances in potency claims varied from 8% less than advertised to 60% less - illustrating a major problem in consistency across the category.

What this really means to you, as an example,  is if your product cost $70 you really only got $35 dollars worth of CBD.  With that knowledge, it is safe to assume you would not buy that product again.

Coral Reef labs also partnered with NextEvo to test our products in the study, and were proven to have been formulated and manufactured to ensure consistency.

“The results were clear -- there is a problem that is plaguing the CBD category with trustworthy labeling and testing to ensure quality. We think it is clear that the CBD market has a long way to go in terms of quality assurance and consumers should seek products that are transparent in their testing and show consistent quality in their finished goods” - John McDonagh, CEO of NextEvo.

CBD Gummies

- Our 4x better absorbing CBD gummies are a tasty, discrete and fun way to enjoy CBD on the go.

Our goal is to produce the best nutritional CBD supplements possible. Our research team carefully selects the amount of high-quality and bioavailable ingredients to ensure we sell a stable CBD formula.

We test our products multiple times throughout the manufacturing process, and are directly backed by more clinical evidence than any other CBD brand.  We’re confident in our product quality, as confirmed by Coral Reef’s analysis, and we guarantee our products contents will match the amount claimed on the label. 

 

2. Check that the Certificate of Analysis (COA) Matches the Label

 

A Certificate of Analysis (COA) is a report from an accredited third-party laboratory. It is typically provided by a manufacturer or supplier and provides critical information on the quality and purity of a specific product - in this case, a CBD product.

It is best to purchase CBD products from companies who attest to the results in the Certificate of Analysis of the Finished Goods lot.  The lot number should be listed on every product.  It is important to ensure that the COA comes from a reliable source, such as a state approved third party laboratory.

The information included may vary depending on the product and the industry in which it is used. Typical details include: 

• The Product Name
• Batch or Lot Number
• Date of Manufacture
• Expiration Date
• Composition
• Purity/Properties, such as reports for heavy metals or pesticides
• Testing Results for various quality attributes, such as strength, potency and contaminants

 

Examples of a COA, showing third-party testing results for various quality attributes in NextEvo’s Triple Action CBD Sleep capsules with Melatonin.

 

The COA serves as a guarantee that the CBD product meets certain safety and efficacy standards, as well as its compliance with regulatory requirements. 

A Certificate of Analysis may be considered invalid or unreliable if it does not accurately represent the quality or purity of the product. There are a few things you should look out for when reviewing a COA, such as:

 

Inaccurate or Incomplete Info	A COA may be invalid if it contains incorrect or incomplete info about the product, such as incorrect lot numbers or missing info about testing methods used. (Cross check the CBD and THC levels on the COA with the product labels to make sure they match).
Contamination	May be invalid if the product is contaminated with impurities or other substances that are not supposed to be present.
Testing Errors	A COA may be invalid if there are errors in the testing process, or if the testing equipment or methods used were nor properly validated or calibrated.
Fraudulent or Misleading Info	A COA may be invalid if the testing was not conducted by an accredited laboratory or if the results were falsified.

 

Generally speaking, reputable companies that sell high-quality products will ensure each and every batch (lot) of products are tested to ensure they meet the label on the day they are packaged and until the expiration date.  You can find the COA easily, either on the company’s website or by request. COAs and Ingredients info can be found on all of NextEvo’s online product pages.

3. Look Out For These Things in the Ingredients

It’s important to read the ingredients list carefully and check that these match up with what is stated in the COA. You should select CBD products that list high-quality, safe and natural ingredients.

Here are some ingredients to look out for:

CBD	Obviously, you want to make sure that the product contains cannabidiol and that the content level is clearly labeled.   (Some products will list CBD as “hemp extract”, which is a result of changing laws and regulations. Products that have no mention of cannabidiol or hemp extract, and only list ingredients such as hemp seeds, hemp seed oil, or cannabis sativa seed oil, are not the same as CBD).  Many of these hemp seed oil products are sold on Amazon and do not contain any CBD.
THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)	CBD made of hemp may have trace amounts of THC. Make sure that it has been third-party tested to confirm the contents do not exceed the legal limit of 0.3% THC. If you are looking for a THC-free product, make sure that the product is labeled as THC-Free.
Flavorings	Some CBD products may contain flavorings to make them more palatable. Check to see if the flavorings are natural or artificial.
Additives	Some CBD products may contain additives, such as preservatives or emulsifiers. Check to see if these additives are safe for consumption and won’t negatively impact the quality or safety of the product.

 

4. Buy CBD Naturally Derived From Hemp

When buying CBD, it's important to look for products that are made from high-quality, naturally grown hemp. This is because hemp plants can absorb toxins and harmful chemicals from the soil where it is farmed and cultivated, which can end up in the final product.

 Hemp plants grown in the United States will need to comply with U.S. and state Departments of Agriculture standards.  Therefore, it is best to stick to U.S. grown hemp and this should be stated on the manufacturer's website or package.

Hemp Farmers in the US are required to be licensed or authorized by a state hemp program before their product is sold. You can find this information on the manufacturer’s/retailer’s website or in their support center.

NextEvo’s CBD products are made from 100% US grown hemp and refined in a quality manufacturing facility. Our manufacturing sites can prove they are high quality through GMP-certification.

5. Research the Bioavailability of the CBD Product

The bioavailability of a CBD product refers to the amount of CBD that enters the bloodstream. This is determined by how well the substance is absorbed and how quickly it is metabolized to produce its desired effects.

In order to research the bioavailability of a CBD product more accurately, you should review the manufacturer's website or product information pages to see if they have any data to back up their absorption claims.   consult with a qualified researcher or laboratory that specializes in this type of testing.  Some manufacturer’s make claims without any data which is a sign to look elesewhere. 

CBD products with higher bioavailability rates will provide more benefits to the body than ones with lower rates. These can be affected by various factors, including:

• The Formulation of the Product
  Product formulation - Oil-based CBD does not absorb well into the body with absorptin levels commonly below 10%.  CBD isolate is even less absorbed with levels at less than 5%.
• Food Intake

Oil-based products are extremely poorly absorbed, especially when taken on an empty stomach.  It is generally a good idea to take CBD with food.

• Other Individual Factors
  There is a wide variation between individuals based on gender, body mass index and other factors that caninfluence the bioavailability of a CBD product.

Read our Guide to Oral CBD Bioavailability to learn more on this topic, and learn more on how to Increase Oral CBD Bioavailability here.

 SmartSorb™ Technology

We recommend seeking out CBD products that adopt emulsion methods to create a “water-soluble” form of CBD.  This water-soluble form of CBD has a scientifically proven higher absorption rate and much more rapid onset than regular oil-based formulations.  All emulsion formulations are not created equal so you need to look for products that have been clinically tested and have published data on results in human subjects. 

NextEvo’s team of scientists and doctors have developed SmartSorb™ technology to improve the bioavailability of CBD. This turns premium-hemp derived CBD into a water-soluble emulsion that actively works with your body to allow a greater amount of CBD to be absorbed and at a faster rate (in as little as 10 minutes).

 

 

 

 

NextEvo’s Premium Pure CBD capsules or gummies with SmartSorb™ are clinically proven to have 4x better CBD absorption - versus other brands where 90% is destroyed by the digestive process. Read here why oil-based CBD isn’t the best option.

6. Avoid Products that Claim to Cure Health Conditions

Some CBD manufacturers have made claims that their products can treat or cure various health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, pain, and insomnia.

However, there is limited scientific evidence to support these claims. The research that has been conducted has been primarily in animal models or small-scale clinical trials.

Studies into the benefits of CBD are in their infancy. It’s important to note that at present, CBD products are predominantly used as a supplement and not a treatment for health conditions.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any CBD products other than one prescription drug called Epidiolex, which is used to treat seizures associated with two rare and severe forms of epilepsy. The FDA also has not evaluated the safety or effectiveness of any other CBD products, and as such is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any physical or mental health conditions. 

To learn more about the potential benefits of CBD and what it can do for you, visit our Complete Guide to CBD.

Always consult with a healthcare professional if you are considering using CBD. Only purchase CBD products from reputable sources that provide third-party testing results and Certificates of Analysis (COA).

7. Buy CBD Products from a Reputable Source

It is important to buy your CBD product from a reputable source to ensure that you are getting quality for your money. 

A reputable company is one that is recognized and respected for its reliability, trustworthiness, and high ethical standards.  In addition, when making ingested dietary supplements look for companies whose leadership teams have backgrounds in the health care, pharmaceutical or consumer products goods industries.  They will understand how to make quality products.

Here are some factors that contribute to a company being considered a reputable source:

Expertise	Companies that are experts in their field have a deep understanding of their industry and are often considered reputable sources.
Trustworthiness	Companies that are transparent and honest in their business practices and are committed to ethical behavior.
High-Quality Products	Companies that consistently produce high-quality products or services are often viewed as reputable.
Good Standing with Regulatory Bodies	Companies that comply with regulatory requirements and are in good standing with regulatory bodies are often viewed as reputable sources.

NextEvo knows our customers are information seekers. We have leveraged our experience in healthcare and R&D to evaluate the different CBD products available and study the research so you don’t have to.

You can purchase high-quality CBD products in health food stores, online, and even in some pharmacies. For more guidance on choosing a reputable brand, head over to our blog here: 4 Questions to Ask When Choosing a CBD Brand.

Have a look at what our customers say about us on our reviews and TrustPilot pages.

8. Check Company Customer Service Resources

CBD companies will have a support line that you contact if you have questions or concerns about the product. Call the number on the product’s package or website to ask a representative any further questions you may have.

Ask questions about any information you weren’t able to find on the package. The representative should be able to answer any queries you have for them.

If a representative can’t answer your questions about basic information, such as the manufacturing process or ingredients, then we recommend not purchasing their product.

 NextEvo is happy to answer any queries you may have about our products. Contact us during standard business hours, or leave your information with us on our contact page and we will get back to you as soon as possible. 

Email: hello@nextevo.com

Call: (888) 676-2711

Hours of operation are Monday-Friday 1:00pm - 5:00pm EST.

The Bottom Line

The CBD category is continuing to experience exponential growth in both emerging brands and consumer interest. In light of the recent studies conducted by Coral Reef labs and NextEvo, it appears many big brand CBD manufacturers are misleading consumers with their potency claims, leading to uneven quality or underperforming products.

It is clear there is a vital need for further regulation of the category and transparency from other CBD brands. We hope to not only highlight this issue among industry members, but encourage them to increase their own standards.

Most importantly, we hope to educate consumers who are looking for the best possible wellness benefits when selecting CBD products. Here at NextEvo, we are committed to your pursuit for wellness as much as you are.