Do you ever walk down a grocery aisle or scroll through an online store and think, "How am I supposed to choose the right product when there are so many options?" Choosing the right product for you can be confusing, especially with all the marketing and health claims plastered across every label.
This conundrum becomes even more complicated with CBD due to the novel and rapidly growing nature of the industry. New brands are launching every day, and it can be overwhelming to decide which brand is trustworthy and will best suit your needs.
Our millie team wants to empower our customers to make the best decisions for their personal health and well-being — but don't just take our word for it.
Read our recommendations regarding transparency and best practices for education, testing, sourcing, and processing. Then utilize this knowledge to compare brands, and you will likely see the millie difference for yourself.
EDUCATION
Providing clear, research-based education and an FAQ section is essential. This section should cover high-level questions about the product during your search.
If CBD is new to you, look for a company that provides a basic introduction to cannabis, CBD, and many other common industry terms. If you can, cross reference with a friend or another source to ensure the company knows what they are speaking about.
Education could include key definitions for CBD, the endocannabinoid system ECS), cannabinoids, and a research-based explanation of how CBD interacts with your body. Information regarding the legal and regulatory environment of CBD should also be incorporated into their educational content.
At this time, retailers are not legally allowed to make any health claims regarding the impacts of CBD on specific ailments, so be wary of any "cure-all" or treatment guarantees. We aim to provide our customers with evidence-based information that does not cross the line into making inappropriate or dangerous claims. Look under Learn, our Blog, and the millie minute.
As you can see, many topics are covered in far greater depth than just an introduction. For example, we also cover the synergistic effects of our broad-spectrum hemp oil with other ingredients in our products. As a part of our values, we make ourselves available to provide answers to any additional questions you might have. Customers can message us on Instagram or via our contact form.
TESTING
A recent study from the University of Miami sampled over 500 CBD products and found that only 42% contained the amount of CBD claimed on the label. This is not a reassuring statistic for consumers in any market, especially one as new and promising as CBD.
Reputable CBD brands should emphasize transparency and provide customers direct access to third-party lab tests that indicate the exact amount of CBD in their products. When you purchase a millie product, it comes with a QR code that links directly to the batch-specific lab results of that product.
CBD SOURCING & PROCESSING
Information on the seed-to-shelf portion of the production process is also valuable information to consider when selecting a brand. It is important to know how and where the hemp plants are grown.
According to the Center For Food Safety, chemicals such as glyphosate may be sprayed onto hemp plants. Glyphosphate, and other pesticides, are known as likely carcinogens by the World Health Organization.
It is essential to seek out a CBD brand, like millie, that implements organic farming practices to minimize your exposure to harmful chemicals.
The company should also address the CBD extraction method from the hemp plant. millie's partners practice various extraction methods and rigorous testing to mitigate potential contaminants from entering the product.
It's important to do your homework when it comes to CBD, as there are few national regulations regarding how CBD products are manufactured.
Though less scientific, product reviews are also a great means to collect data on a brand. You can see some of ours on the website homepage. millie strives to empower our customers to make the best decisions for them.
In Conclusion
CBD is a rapidly-growing industry, with new products hitting the shelves every day. Here at millie, we believe in putting quality before quantity. We're always happy to help our consumers learn more about navigating the CBD realm to find products that fit their different lifestyles.
The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
References
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Gardener, H., Wallin, C., & Bowen, J. (2022). Heavy metal and phthalate contamination and labeling integrity in a large sample of US commercially available cannabidiol (CBD) products. Science of the Total Environment, 851, 158110. DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158110
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Spector, R. (2020, March 1). Center for Food Safety | Blog | | Encouraging Transparency in the Hemp CBD Product Industry. Center for Food Safety.
