When considering a product or brand, comparing apples to apples can help lift the cloud of uncertainty as to what best suits your needs. Let us take a look at 6 key markers of quality to narrow down the choices and even the playing field. 1) Does their website list: ● Phone number and address of corporate offices or customer service ● Address of place it is manufactured, bottled and distributed as federally required by the FDA ● Nutritional information as federally required by the FDA (must list serving size and all applicable nutrient content) ● Ingredient list that is federally compliant (must list all ingredients in the order of the amount in the product, most to least, including water and all additives, fillers, preservatives, etc.) ● Third party testing performed on every batch and the results of those tests provided for strength, purity, mold, pesticides, cross-contamination and THC levels ● Options for both THC free and Full Spectrum tinctures 2) Farming: ● Is it planted, grown, harvested and manufactured in an FDA compliant farm (there is currently only one brand that can boast their product is farmed on the only FDA compliant farm in America) ● Do they test their soil for contaminants and purity (Hemp detoxifies soil, so it absorbs every last bit of nutrient and toxins in the soil.)
● Is it organically grown? ● Is it mold free? ● Is it exposed to potential cross-contamination? ● Is it domestically grown? ● If imported, under what conditions to ensure the process it goes through (to be approved for import) doesn’t dilute the content of active CBD? 3) Trustworthiness: ● Are the labels misleading? ○ They claim THC free but list in their label or website as a full spectrum oil (it can only be one or the other… it’s like saying something is vegan, but it has milk as an ingredient). ○ They do not indicate on the nutritional label what the actual mg of CBD is per serving ○ Label lists zero fat (huh? a CBD tincture is an OIL!! Where did the fat go?!) ○ Consistency: They list “Over 300MG.” What does that mean? Is it 301MG? 399MG? Are they guessing bottle to bottle what is in there? ○ List the exact number of servings per bottle and the exact amount of active CBD per serving? ● Are they partnered with the Hemp Industries Association? ● Are they members of the Hemp Round Table and participate in advocacy for legislation? 4) Purity ● How is it handled after harvesting? (Is it hung to dry, which potentially allows mold to form, or is it flash sealed to keep it pure until it is ready for use in production? Delmarva Unleashed
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