Have you ever stopped to look at a supplement label? The small numbers, codes, and jargon have a specific purpose and meaning. The requirements are essential for CBD products.
What Is CBD?
CBD, the short form of cannabidiol, is the chemical found in marijuana that’s been stripped of the psychoactive chemical THC—the chemical that produces a high when smoked or eaten. Manufacturers use extraction techniques to pull the oil from the cannabis plant, which is used by itself or in a variety of other foods, creams, and supplements, from gummies to muscle pain cream.
CBD can be distilled from both the cannabis plant—the one with THC—or hemp, a commercially grown plant known for edible seeds and fibers. However, only hemp-derived CBD oil has been legalized by the federal government, as it contains almost indistinguishable amounts of CBD.
FDA General Labeling Requirements
Because of the fine line between legalized hemp CBD and illegal (according to the federal government) cannabis CBD, manufacturers need to be extremely careful to follow specific requirements when they label CBD products. The FDA General Labeling Requirements include five basic elements:
Identification of the product
Net weight
List of ingredients
Name and address of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor
FDA Warning Statement
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Some states may also mandate information, including the batch ID number, expiration date, and certificate of analysis. Manufacturers of CBD oil are encouraged to follow the strictest of the state guidelines—in other words, although the FDA doesn’t mandate this list, they should be added anyway!
CBD Ingredient List
The four elements may seem simple, but one can give CBD oil makers a little more trouble. The list of ingredients has to include all ingredients, including hemp products, CBD, and specifics of flavorings or additives.
The stigma of CBD oil is still there, and as some types are still federally illegal, some manufacturers are trying to move toward marketing as hemp instead of CBD to keep from getting on the FDA radar. But when CBD is required to be mentioned on the label, it makes it a little more difficult to pivot the marketing plan.
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FDA Regulations
The rules for CBD are hazy at best and constantly in flux, and FDA regulators closely scrutinize any product that hints at CBD. It’s up to manufacturers to play by the rules by sticking with labeling guidelines, ensuring marketing doesn’t make health claims regarding the product, and that the label clearly states the FDA’s position on CBD: “FDA has not evaluated this product for safety or efficacy.”
You can trust our professional staff at Century Label to assist you with all of your pressure sensitive label and shrink sleeve needs. Contact us today with any questions or concerns you have about your CBD packaging.
