Nearly half of CBD products tested had inaccurate labels | Research

The takeaway

Testing of 80 commercial CBD products found that 46% had CBD concentrations more than 10% off from their label claims, with some products containing less than half the advertised amount.

CBD consumers, healthcare providers recommending CBD, and regulators considering manufacturing standards.

46% of products mislabeled; only 54% concordance

What the researchers found

Of 80 products, 37 (46%) contained CBD concentrations more than 10% different from label claims. Discrepancies ranged from 0.9 to 30.6 mg/mL off from the label. 12 products were underlabeled (more than 110% of claim) and 25 were overlabeled (less than 90% of claim). Overall concordance within 10% tolerance was only 54%.

Why it matters

When nearly half of CBD products contain the wrong amount, consumers cannot reliably dose. Too little means no benefit; too much risks drug interactions and liver enzyme elevations.

The numbers in context

80 products tested. Label claims: 7.5-60 mg/mL. Measured: 2.9-61.3 mg/mL. 37 products (46%) outside 10% tolerance. 25 overlabeled (too little CBD), 12 underlabeled (too much). Concordance rate: 54%.

How the study worked

LC-MS/MS analysis of 80 commercially available hemp-derived CBD products from online and local retailers in central Kentucky. CBD concentrations were compared to label claims. Epidiolex included as a regulated positive control.

What this study cannot tell us

Products from one geographic area. Single time point. Did not assess whether labeling accuracy varied by price point, brand type, or sales channel. Epidiolex as the only regulated comparator.

How to read the evidence

Validated analytical methods with appropriate sample size of commercial products and a regulated control.

When this study was published

Published in 2022.

The bigger picture

The CBD industry's labeling accuracy problem is not improving. Without good manufacturing practices and mandatory testing standards, consumers have little way to know what they are actually taking.

Questions still open

Would third-party testing requirements improve label accuracy? Do consumers who think CBD "doesn't work" simply have underdosed products?

Common questions

Are CBD product labels accurate?

In this study, only 54% of 80 CBD products had CBD concentrations within 10% of their label claims. Some contained less than half the advertised amount.

What are the risks of inaccurate CBD labels?

Underdosed products may provide no therapeutic benefit, while overdosed products increase the risk of side effects, drug interactions, and liver enzyme elevations.

Read the original research

Label accuracy of unregulated cannabidiol (CBD) products: measured concentration vs. label claim.

Journal of cannabis research, 4(1), 28

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Johnson, Erin; Kilgore, Michael; Babalonis, Shanna. (2022). Label accuracy of unregulated cannabidiol (CBD) products: measured concentration vs. label claim.. Journal of cannabis research, 4(1), 28. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-022-00140-1