National nonprofit watchdog organization Center for Food Safety (CFS) has released a “Hemp CBD Scorecard” to provide consumers with independent information about how cannabidiol (CBD) products are manufactured and allow them to make more informed decisions on purchases.
Nearly half of all CBD companies evaluated in the new CFS scorecard received a failing or near-failing grade.
CFS surveyed 40 companies and evaluated product policies and practices with regards to hemp farming, organic certification, processing, and testing.
CFS also evaluated which products were USDA Certified Organic, which were made with organic ingredients, which companies used GMO ethanol or alcohol during processing, which companies tested for pesticides and heavy metals, and which companies are transparent with consumers regarding information about production practices.
“We were surprised to find so many CBD companies failing to meet basic requirements to ensure their products are safe for people and the environment,” said West Coast Director for Center for Food Safety Rebecca Spector. “It’s crucial that these companies test for pesticides including glyphosate, heavy metals, and other contaminants.”
Spector says that companies’ claims on their websites should be supported by test results from independent labs and that they should seek independent certifications to ensure the quality of their products.
Out of the 40 companies surveyed, only six primarily produce USDA Certified Organic products and just two certify that their products do not contain traces of glyphosate which is the primary ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide.
Excluding those who are non-USDA Certified Organic, nearly half of the companies claimed to use organic ingredients but virtually none of them provided verification of such claims on their websites or product packaging.
According to CFS, 65 percent of the companies have begun posting their lab efficiency results online and 72 percent have indicated support for regenerative farming practices.
“Now is the time for farmers and processors to seize the moment and take steps so that we can avoid hemp becoming yet another exploited commodity that is not grown sustainably,” says Organic Trade Association Vice President of Regulatory & Technical Affairs Gwendolyn Wyard. “There is no need for hemp to be grown with chemical pesticides and fertilizers. Organic agriculture and innovation has all the tools needed to produce a thriving hemp crop and associated processed hemp products that are better for the planet and what consumers want.”
For the sake of consumer safety and satisfaction, CFS says that more companies should source USDA Organic Certified and non-GMO hemp, test for pesticides and contaminants, utilize independent certifications, and provide customers with clear and transparent information on packaging and websites.
