Over-the-counter CBD products often mislabeled, with many containing THC

Researchers found that topical CBD products purchased online and in retail stores were often inaccurately labeled, and many contained THC, highlighting the need for improved regulatory oversight, according to a report in JAMA Network Open.

Tory R. Spindle, PhD, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and colleagues assessed label accuracy of topical CBD products and quantified their therapeutic and nontherapeutic claims.

“Misleading labels can result in people using poorly regulated and expensive CBD products instead of FDA-approved products that are established as safe and effective for a given health condition,” Spindle said in a related press release.

Researchers purchased 105 hemp products — 45 from retail stores in Baltimore and 60 online — that were intended for topical or transdermal application and claimed to contain CBD. Of 89 products that listed the total amount of CBD on the label, 18% were over-labeled (contained > 10% less CBD than advertised), 58% were under-labeled (contained > 10% more than advertised), and 24% were accurately labeled.

The authors reported that the median percentage deviation between the actual amount of CBD and the labeled amount was 21% (range, –75% to 93%) for in-store products and 10% (–96% to 121%) for online products. This indicated that, overall, products contained more CBD than advertised.

They also reported that THC was detected in 37 of the 105 products (35%) included in the study. However, all contained less than 0.3%. Of the 37 products that contained THC, four were labeled THC-free, 14 were advertised as containing less than 0.3%, and 19 did not reference THC on the label.

Overall, 28% of products made therapeutic claims, 14% made cosmetic claims, and 47% indicated they were not FDA-approved.

“The variability in the chemical content and labeling found in our study highlights the need for better regulatory oversight of CBD products to ensure consumer safety,” Ryan Vandrey, PhD, study co-author and professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, said in the release.

Reference:

Study shows widespread mislabeling of CBD content occurs for over-the-counter products. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/newsroom/news-releases/study-shows-widespread-mislabeling-of-cbd-content-occurs-for-over-the-counter-products. Published July 20, 2022. Accessed July 20, 2022.