Making the grade. What is a CBD Certificate of Analysis (COA) and why does it matter for consumer safety?

A Certificate of Analysis or “COA” is a report card that provides valuable information about the quality and make-up of a product’s hemp contents. A “COA” is just as crucial for the customer as it is for responsible CBD companies.

Why is it so important to the consumer?

Experts from Consumer Reports, The US Hemp Authority, and academic institutions suggest requiring a Certificate of Analysis (COA) from a third-party source. This would apply to all CBD products. We agree wholeheartedly! These tests are incredibly important because hemp is a remediation crop. This means anything that touches the crop has the potential to appear in final products produced from a harvest. A COA assures end-users that harmful pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides were not used in the vicinity of hemp cultivation, extraction, and formulation.

What is The U.S. Hemp Authority?

The U.S. Hemp Authority is an initiative to provide high standards, best practices, and self-regulation. Also, it gives confidence to consumers and law enforcement regarding hemp CBD. It is an effort funded by the U.S. Hemp Roundtable and joined by several organizations such as; The Hemp Industries Association, industry-leading firms, top-tier testing laboratories, and quality assessors. Additionally, these organizations have developed comprehensive guidance for growers and producers of hemp products.

Keola runs 3 independent tests on our products.

Although not required, we run COA’s three times throughout our manufacturing process. This means our products are triple-checked for quality purposes. We embrace these extra steps and expenses to remain 'top in class' and maintain higher quality standards than the industry requires. On our labels, you will find a QR Code to scan with your mobile device to get a full independent review right at your fingertips.

Understanding a quality CBD Certificate of Analysis...

Understanding how to identify and extract useful information from a COA is the first step to ensure you’re getting a quality CBD product. Although CBD is extremely popular, the industry is still in its infancy. Compliance requirements as of this writing have not yet been standardized. A few organizations are leading the way of providing the foundation from which all products should be judged before purchasing. Following is a list of important things to consider when reviewing a COA.

Identifying harmful toxins that may find their way into CBD products.

Firstly, heavy metals in the soil can end up in CBD products. Our dedicated team of analyzers from "seed to sale" test the ground, the extraction equipment, and the packaging of every finished product long before our products are put into our customer’s hand. Then, we empower each facility with guidelines to control each product's efficacy using the best tools available.

Cannabinoid potency

Keola tests for cannabinoid potency that supports being “THC Compliant”. This means no Keola product will produce a “high”. We use full-spectrum oil in our products. This means we use the whole plant to get the best medicinal results and efficacy. This includes antioxidants, chlorophyll, and vital nutrients for the body. We are 100% compliant with state and federal guidelines on allowed potencies.

NON-GMO

Keola does not use Genetically Modified Organisms in any of its ingredients or extraction processes. All our manufacturing processes and facilities are third-party verified.

What Does a CBD Certificate of Analysis Look Like?

To access a specific Keola product COA, simply scan the QR code printed on our product packaging. This will take you directly to the relevant COA of the product you just scanned. From the COA you will see a lot of information. To help make sense of all the terminology, let's start at the top:

• Cannabinoids: These are the naturally occurring compounds found primarily in the plant's flowers, leaves, and in hemp extracts. This is the good stuff consumers are seeking today for their health and wellness benefits.
• Microbial: This is a test that ensures the products you're consuming don't have microbiological contamination such as salmonella, yeast, and molds. (yuck)
• Residual Solvents and Heavy Metals: Lead, methyl mercury, and arsenic are not listed on any ingredient panel. A person surely wouldn't want to ingest them. Crazy as it sounds, many hemp-derived CBD products don't pass tests for these things. Remember, it all starts with the soil hemp is grown in! Consider this; hemp plants were used to help clean up the dirt around Chernobyl. So obviously, where your hemp comes from is extremely important. All Keola hemp comes from the United States and is grown using organic farming practices.
• Pesticides: We understand that pesticides are a part of modern agriculture. But they aren't a part of what you want to be consuming each day if you can avoid them. As we explained earlier, anything you spray on a hemp plant will show up in a hemp extract. Since CBD is extracted from hemp you want to make sure your hemp is grown without the use of harmful pesticides.

Keola provides premium CBD products with a CBD Certificate of Analysis to back it up.

As a leader in the hemp revolution, we go far above industry standards. We don't allow chemical pesticides or herbicides on our plants. Further, we comply with Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP). This means we perform a full battery of tests. We stand behind every single product we sell. We have tested each product to ensure it contains the amount of CBD you're paying for and none of the harmful junk you don’t want. We believe that our family of customers deserves this kind of transparency. After all, our own families rely on the Keola products we make too! The bottom line, if you like your in-laws… refer them to Keola. If not, send them to our competitors.