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Informed Choice CBD / Hemp Verification

CBD - Hemp - About

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 CBD testing and product evaluation.  In addition to the core CBD testing elements of the Informed Choice program (which includes regular CBD testing for over 250 prohibited and potentially harmful substances), all production batches of certified CBD / hemp-derived products are tested and gain CBD certification to assess levels of CBD and ∆9-THC.

With regards to CBD analysis, test results are compared with label claims. To meet Informed Choice acceptance criteria, the resulting analysis must be within +/- 20% of the declared CBD per serving. For more technical information and guidance visit our CBD Lab Science and Testing page.

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For CBD consumers, it is recommended that consumption of ∆9-THC be limited to 0.083 mg per day (1). Research demonstrates that the likelihood of a positive drug test at this consumption level is very low. 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.

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 and / or 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.

Download the CBD/Hemp Certification Process Guide

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.       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.