Informed Choice CBD / Hemp Verification

Quality Assurance for the Long Run. 

When choosing a CBD or hemp-derived product, how can consumers be certain that what is listed on the label is accurate? Label accuracy is vital to all consumers, especially when products are combined with medications and other dietary supplements.

Hemp-derived and cannabinoid-based products (e.g., CBD) may also contain ∆9-THC, which is a cause for concern for consumer safety and for anyone who is subject to workplace drug testing. Informed Choice helps minimize these risks. 

Informed Choice is a global quality assurance program for dietary supplements and products in the health and wellness sector, with a primary focus on product integrity.  Where CBD / hemp-derived products are certified on the Informed Choice program, consumers can be confident that products have been subjected to extensive testing and product evaluation.  In addition to the core testing elements of the Informed Choice program (which includes regular testing for over 285 prohibited and potentially harmful substances), all production batches of certified CBD / hemp-derived products are tested to assess levels of CBD and ∆9-THC.

CBD Analysis:

In a 2020 study using a +/- 20% tolerance threshold, 55% of the products contained CBD concentrations outside of this threshold ⁽¹⁾. Since no regulatory standard currently exists for label accuracy of CBD products, Informed Choice adopts a +/- 20% tolerance to assess label claims - this tolerance reflects a balanced approach allowing for manufacturing variations and analytical measurement uncertainty while establishing acceptance criteria which reflects the quality expectations of the Informed Choice program. To meet Informed Choice acceptance criteria, the CBD levels must be within +/- 20% of the CBD content declared on the product label.

THC Analysis:

Through a toxicological risk assessment, focused on consumer safety, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has established a safe consumption limit for ∆9-THC of 0.083 mg per day ⁽²⁾. This consumption limit also provides an appropriate level of risk management and control for those subject to workplace drug testing - this being supported by literature reviews focused on ∆9-THC consumption at levels <1 mg per day and the subsequent evaluation of urine samples. Informed Choice verifies, based on brand guidelines relating to serving size and recommended maximum daily intake (as specified on the Informed Choice website), that certified CBD / hemp-derived products fall below this threshold.

Please refer to our certification process page for detailed information on the steps involved in Informed Choice certification for CBD / hem-derived products.

Use of multiple CBD / hemp-derived products:

When assessing the risk of using products, consumers should be aware that using multiple CBD / hemp-derived products may lead to accumulation of ∆9-THC, which could result in an increased risk of a positive drug test.  Informed Choice recommends that if you are considering using a CBD/hemp-derived product, that only one certified product is used (not exceeding maximum daily recommended use) at any given time.

Download Our Quantification of Phytocannabinoids Study

Professional / Elite athletes:

Athletes should be aware that CBD / hemp-derived products may contain low levels of other naturally occurring cannabinoid compounds, other than CBD and ∆9-THC, which may be prohibited by certain regulatory bodies (e.g., WADA – the World Anti-Doping Agency). Prior to consuming CBD / hemp-derived products, athletes should check with their relevant governing body regarding their policy relating to cannabinoids and CBD / hemp-derived product usage.

The presence of the Informed Choice logo or on-pack descriptor on a product's packaging provides assurance it has undergone rigorous checks and CBD third-party testing to minimize the risk of contamination with prohibited and potentially harmful substances and to verify the CBD and ∆9-THC content. Additionally, the mark lets consumers know that the product was made in an environment with quality systems appropriate for the stringent demands of product manufacturing. Search for the batch number on our website to find specifically tested batches. 

1.       Dubrow, G.A., et al., A survey of cannabinoids and toxic elements in hemp-derived products from the United States marketplace. Journal of food composition and analysis, 2021. 97: p. 103800.

2.       EFSA CONTAM Panel (EFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain), 2015. Scientific Opinion on the risks for human health related to the presence of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in milk and other food of animal origin. EFSA Journal 2015;13(6):4141, 125 pp.