Have you ever wondered what's really in your hemp-derived or botanical products? You're not alone! Many consumers have heard the phrase "Make sure your product is lab tested before purchasing," but what does that actually mean? Don't worry – we're here to break it down for you in simple terms.
What is a Certificate of Analysis (COA)?
A Certificate of Analysis (COA) is a document that provides the results of laboratory tests performed on hemp or botanical products. It's essentially a quality report card that typically checks for:
- Potency and Purity
- Contaminants
- Other Relevant Substances (such as terpenes, vitamins, minerals, or additional bioactive compounds).
Why is a COA so Important?
You would think the hemp and CBD market would be highly regulated--and it is in places--but there are still far too many companies making products using questionable ingredients and processes. The industry as a whole suffers from lack of federal oversight to ensure consistent product quality and consumer experience. One study from 2017 showed that as many as 70% of hemp and CBD products are mislabeled.
How to Read a COA.
Step One: Evaluate the Lab that Performed the Test.
The first thing you want to check on a COA is right up at the top: the name of the lab that performed the test. It should not be a the manufacturer or the company selling the product. If it is, that's a major red flag. COAs need to be performed by a third-party laboratory. The footer of the COA should contain the name, date and signature of the laboratory technicians who performed the test and will swear to its authenticity. It should also have contact information for the lab and certification numbers.
Pro Tip : When evaluating a COA, check the lab's credentials. Look for ISO 17025 and CLIA accreditations. These certifications ensure that the laboratory has the proper qualifications and follows rigorous standards to process and report samples accurately. Accredited labs provide more reliable and trustworthy results, giving you greater confidence in the product's quality and safety.
Step Two: Check the Active Compound Profile.
The COA will list active compounds under a heading like "Analytes" or "Active Ingredients." An analyte is simply the component being measured. For hemp products, this includes cannabinoids. For other botanicals, it might list various phytochemicals. Key things to look for:
- Does the active profile match the product label?
- For hemp products, is the THC content within legal limits?
Step Three: Decode the Measurements.
You'll see some measurements that might look like alphabet soup. Here's what they mean:
- LoD : Limit of Detection: This is the lowest concentration of a substance that can be reliably distinguished from zero. For contaminants, a lower LoD means the test can detect even trace amounts of potentially harmful substances. This is critical because some contaminants, like heavy metals or pesticides, can be dangerous even in very small quantities.
- LoQ : Limit of Quantitation: This is the lowest concentration at which the test can not only detect the substance but also accurately measure its quantity. For contaminants, the LoQ helps determine if the amount present exceeds safety thresholds. It's usually higher than the LoD, as it requires more precision to quantify an amount than to simply detect its presence.
- mg/mL : Milligrams per milliliter: This measurement is used for liquid products and indicates the number of milligrams of a substance dissolved in one milliliter of liquid. It's crucial for determining the potency of products like tinctures or oils. For example, a CBD oil with 50 mg/mL means each milliliter contains 50 mg of CBD, allowing for precise dosing and easy comparison between products.
- mg/g : Milligrams per gram: This is used for solid or semi-solid products and shows the number of milligrams of a substance present in one gram of product. It's essential for accurately measuring active ingredients in forms like powders or creams. This measurement allows consumers to compare potency across different product types, such as capsules versus gummies.
- ppm or ppb : Parts per million or parts per billion: These are used for measuring trace amounts of compounds, often contaminants. ppm is equivalent to mg/kg, while ppb is 1000 times smaller. These measurements are critical for detecting minute quantities of substances like pesticides, heavy metals, or residual solvents. They allow for comparison against regulatory limits, which are often set in ppm or ppb, providing a standardized way to assess product purity and safety.
Understanding these measurements helps verify product potency, calculate appropriate dosages, compare different products accurately, and ensure that any contaminants present are below safety thresholds. For active ingredients, higher numbers generally indicate a more concentrated product, while for contaminants, lower numbers are desirable
Step Four: Look for Contaminants.
Microbials
The microbial section of the COA will explain if the product was tested for microbes and bacteria, such as salmonella, yeast and molds. The COA should list any of these and determine if certain microbes are present. Some COAs refer to this panel as a Pathogenic SAE test because it tests for Salmonella, Aspergillus, or E. coli.
Heavy Metals
Metals are listed by their chemical symbol and name (e.g., As -- Arsenic). The most critical part is the "Use Limits" or "Action Level," which specifies the maximum amount of each metal considered safe for daily ingestion, as determined by health authorities.
Pesticides
Pesticide concentrations are typically reported in "ppb" (parts per billion). The "Limits" or "Action Level" column shows the maximum amount of each pesticide allowed by law, which may vary based on state regulations. If a result is listed as "<LOQ" (less than the Limit of Quantitation), it means the pesticide is either not present or exists in amounts too small to be accurately measured.
Step Five: Assess Other Relevant Compounds..
When reviewing a COA, it's important to look beyond just the primary active ingredients and contaminants. Many hemp and botanical products contain a variety of other beneficial compounds that contribute to their overall effects and quality. These may include:
- Terpenes: Aromatic compounds that contribute to the product's scent and flavor, and may have their own therapeutic properties. Common terpenes include myrcene, limonene, and pinene.
- Flavonoids: Plant pigments with antioxidant properties, such as quercetin or kaempferol.
- Minerals: Essential nutrients like iron, zinc, or magnesium that may be naturally present or added to the product.
- Vitamins: Such as vitamin E, which is often found in hemp seed oil.
- Other Phytochemicals: Depending on the botanical, there could be a wide range of bioactive compounds like alkaloids, glycosides, or polyphenols.
The presence and concentration of these compounds can vary greatly depending on the plant strain, growing conditions, extraction method, and product formulation. While they're often present in smaller quantities than the primary active ingredients, these compounds can contribute to the product's overall efficacy through what's known as the "entourage effect." A comprehensive COA may provide information on some or all of these additional compounds, giving you a more complete picture of the product's composition and potential benefits.
Where Can I Find Naternal’s COAs?
Naternal COAs are right here. If you have any questions about our products or anything you've read in this article, feel free to email us at info@naternal.com or though our contact page.
Putting it all Together.
Certificates of Analysis (COAs) are essential documents that provide crucial information about the quality, safety, and composition of hemp and botanical products. They offer a detailed breakdown of active compounds, contaminants, and other relevant substances present in a product. Armed with the knowledge to interpret a COA, consumers should treat it as their product passport – never purchase or use a hemp or botanical product without first scrutinizing its COA to verify its safety, potency, and overall quality.