BBB Labs launches quality assurance seal for its hemp extracts

“The number one question that people ask us is how do we know what to look for and how do we know what we’re buying?” ​BBB CEO Robert Di Marco told FoodNavigator-USA.

“Things have definitely got better, but some of that is because ​people [selling extracts] have learned the lingo, so they say all the right things like ‘GMP compliant’ or show you a certificate of analysis (CoA) that looks good.​

“But if you are new to the industry you should never just trust a CoA; you should always get the product tested by another lab – and ask around to find out which labs to trust – before signing up.​

“We just had a large national chain come to us for private label manufacturing and they had a pretty well-known brand they wanted to be sure was ‘zero-THC’ and we third party tested it, and it was way off so that if you had consumed it, you’d test positive ​[in a drugs test].”

70% of the raw material that comes in through this building from outside supply channels fails our quality controls​

Other issues that come up repeatedly are discrepancies between stated and actual CBD levels, and unacceptable levels of pesticides, heavy metals, volatiles or mold, claimed Di Marco.

“In the beginning ​[before BBB set up its own growing operation] we had to go to Europe to import materials because the biomass we were being sent​ [from hemp farms in North America] was failing our quality controls. Even now, about 70% of the raw material that comes in through this building from outside supply channels fails our quality controls.”​

The Biova Hemp seal​

All hemp products and extract formulations manufactured by BBB Labs now feature the Biova Hemp seal, which BBB Labs customers can also feature on white-label or private-label products. The seal reassures buyers that the extracts:

• Are derived from organically grown hemp from BBB Labs’ farms in Colorado;
• Have passed rigorous testing for plant cannabinoid and terpene content, and to ensure there are no pesticides, heavy metals, or other contaminants present;
• Come with cannabinoid profiles and Certificates of Analysis (COA) from reputable third-party laboratories;
• Are produced in accordance with strict Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards in BBB Labs’ facilities.

The regulatory pathway for CBD​

The FDA - which maintains that CBD is illegal in foods, beverages and supplements, but is focusing enforcement action on companies making “egregious​” claims – is considering​​ “legislative options that might lead to more efficient and appropriate pathways than might be available under current law​” for CBD products.

However, Todd Harrison, an attorney at Venable who has been trying to help clients navigate the CBD minefield, told FoodNavigator-USA: “FDA has numerous options already available if someone in the industry would actually file something with FDA to show that CBD at a low dose does not pose a safety concern nor would it act as a pharmaceutical, but nobody in this industry is willing to do it the right way. ​

“I believe if someone would file with FDA that a non standardized hemp extract that contains CBD and other cannabinoids was safe, FDA will permit its marketing… but someone has to step up ​[CV Sciences recently announced​​ the self-determined GRAS status of its hemp-derived CBD gold extract but has not said whether it plans to submit this to the FDA, while other companies say they are working on GRAS determinations for hemp extracts].”

Below is a selection of public comments​ ​submitted to the FDA ahead of its public meeting on May 31:​ ​