The rise in the popularity of CBD means there’s a flood of CBD products in the market. But unfortunately, many companies are acting unprofessionally by producing and selling CBD oils that are not legitimate. So, when you buy CBD pills online, how do you know if it’s authentic, safe, and reliable? This article will tell you how to choose between real and fake CBD oil to help you select high-quality products.
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Real and Fake: How to Distinguish?
Checking important information on the products’ labels, including the CBD ingredients, the manufacturer, its verification, and the company’s website, will certainly show you the difference between real and fraudulent products.
If the CBD product label has strange ingredients, chances are the oil is fake. Natural CBD oils should either be “hemp-derived,” “full-spectrum,” “broad spectrum,” or “isolate.” Legitimate manufacturers will also include the location where the hemp was grown.
High-quality CBD oils have third-party laboratory results, which show that the product is safe to use. Legitimate CBD oil companies also provide information on their website regarding the manufacturing process and ingredients.
How to Spot Fake CBD Oil?
CBD products can contain less or none of the claimed amount of CBD. Since the FDA does not regulate CBD, it is more important for consumers to do their due diligence. Here are some ways to spot fake CBD oil.
- There’s No Available Testing Information
CBD manufacturers should provide a third-party certificate of analysis (COA) that shows the level of CBD, THC, and any contaminants. A CBD product with no product testing or an old and/or outdated COA shows that it lacks the advertised ingredients. This information is usually accessible on the brand’s website. Most CBD products like gummies, oils or topicals also have a QR code that gives further details on the product when scanned.
- The Label Makes Unconvincing Marketing Claims
CBD products should not claim to “cure” anxiety or “fix” sleep problems. Making health claims is only legal for prescription drugs. The FDA and the Federal Trade Commission strictly ban health claims involving supplements like CBD products. Therefore, if you come across these products, that is a big red flag. Also, avoid anything that claims to solve a medical ailment.
- The Price is Cheap
Most buyers search for a good bargain, but when it comes to CBD, bargains are a sign of fake products. If the price is reasonable, then is this CBD oil real? CBD is still expensive, and if a product comes at huge discounts compared to others, it may not have the CBD ingredients advertised.
Bottom Line
The market is saturated with imposter CBD gummies, vapes, and more. It is easy to be overwhelmed when it comes to buying these products. But how do you know if CBD oil is real? Well, it’s up to you to determine if the product is a scam or not. While it may be tricky, some signs will prompt you whether a product is good or not. Use the above criteria to spot fake CBD products.
Michael Levin is a CBD enthusiast, a researcher, writer and editor in the cannabis space, experienced CBD user and educator. He believes CBD can help improve our overall health and wellbeing.