By Pat Anson, PNN editor
Another study has found evidence that cannabidiol (CBD) products are often mislabeled, with more than half of edibles and topicals tested containing significantly more or less CBD than their labels indicate. Researchers at the University of Miami School of Medicine also found that many CBD products are contaminated with low levels of heavy metals and plastic chemicals.
“Since the cannabis plant is recognized as a bioaccumulator, which is very effective in absorbing and retaining pollutants (e.g. heavy metals) in the soil, it is important to characterize the degree of contamination of CBD products and their accuracy on the label to better estimate the potential health benefits and risks associated with consumption,” the researchers explained in the journal The Science of the Total Environment.
Researchers analyzed 516 CBD products that were purchased online or in retail stores and had them tested at Ellipse Analytics in Denver. About a quarter of the CBD products were edible.
Only 42% of all products tested had CBD concentrations on their labels that were reasonably accurate. Forty percent of the products contained significantly less CBD than the manufacturer claimed, while 18% contained significantly more CBD.
Of the edible products analyzed, 42 percent tested positive for the presence of lead, 37 percent tested positive for mercury, 28 percent tested positive for arsenic and eight percent tested positive for cadmium. Most contained only trace amounts of heavy metals, but four edibles had lead levels that exceeded California’s recommended daily intake limit for lead.
Many of the edibles also contained low levels of plastic chemicals, known as phthalates, which are designed to make plastics more flexible. Phthalates leach from plastic and have become widespread in the air, soil and water. Some phthalates have affected the reproductive systems of animals, although their impact on human health is unclear.
The percentage of CBD edibles with detectable concentrations of phthalates ranged from 13% to 80% for four phthalates, with DEHP being the most common. DEHP has been linked to cancer, birth defects and other reproductive harm. Federal law prohibits the manufacture and sale of children’s toys and childcare products that contain DEHP at levels greater than 0.1%.
“Low-level contamination of edible CBD products with heavy metals and phthalates is widespread. There is a substantial discrepancy between product label claims about CBD potency and the amount measured in both edible and topical products, which underscores the need for strict regulations for CBD product label integrity to protect consumers,” the researchers concluded.
“Given that the demographic of consumers purchasing CBD products includes those suffering from pain, insomnia, anxiety, and other health conditions, these findings could cause consumers and physicians to question the benefits and potential harms of use of CBD.”
Previous studies have also found that many CBD products are mislabeled. A recent study by the University of Kentucky College of Medicine found that only half of CBD oil products had cannabidiol concentrations that were within 10% of label claims. The researchers also found that most CBD oils contained traces of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive substance in cannabis, including some oils labeled “THC Free.”
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