What are CBD Certificates of Analysis (COAs)?

When you purchase a CBD product the very least you should expect from a company is that the information they list on their products is accurate. To hold manufacturers accountable and keep consumers safe, Certificates of Analysis are used to back-up product claims and advertisements. Learn what a Certificate of Analysis is, why you must check them, and how to recognize red flags.

What is a Certificate of Analysis?

A Certificate of Analysis or COA, is a document from an accredited laboratory that confirms the amount and types of cannabinoids in a product. A COA is completed for every batch of a product containing CBD. By obtaining a COA, the manufacturer can provide evidence of the amount of CBD advertised in a product. Think of it as a form of quality assessment.

Why COA’s are Important to Consumers?

When purchasing a CBD product the types and amounts of cannabinoids in a product are of the highest importance. As CBD is the element you are seeking to benefit from, the advertised information must be accurate. A COA is a manufacturer’s method by which to obtain this information and prove that their advertising is truthful. Without a COA the manufacturer can not back their product by evidence and the consumer has no assurances as to what a product contains. 

Understanding a Certificate of Analysis

So what exact information does a COA tell us? As a consumer, these are a few inconsistencies to keep an eye out for.

Too much or too little CBD:

• When investing in a CBD product, checking the COA will confirm that it contains the amount of CBD listed. This will tell you whether the product is worth the price, as the cost significantly increases based on the amount of CBD contained. If the amount of CBD listed on the product versus the COA does not match, consider it a red flag.

Too much THC:

• THC is the natural psychoactive ingredient found in CBD. You can purchase a product with our without it, for various reasons. You must check the COA to confirm that the product contains a percentage of THC within the legal limits. By law, it cannot contain above 0.3% THC. Otherwise, it is considered a marijuana product and should require a medical card to purchase and can be harmful to your pet.

Missing cannabinoids:

• Aside from the percent concentration of cannabinoids in a product, a COA will also inform you of the types of cannabinoids. While to some consumers this information may seem irrelevant, to others it is crucial. Some people can be sensitive to specific types of cannabinoids or are seeking the benefits provided by a single type. Many consumers aim to benefit from the “entourage effect”.

“Tested in-house”:

• While a rare occurrence, some CBD products may state that they are “tested in-house”. You must understand that this means they are personally backing their product versus having it backed by a third-party. This is a red flag and you should proceed with caution as this may imply the product is manufactured in an “underground lab.” Ultimately, you must decide whether you trust this company enough to take what is essentially their word. In general, it is best to only purchase products from companies who can scientifically back their products and claims, and do so without bias.

To find the COA on a Frenchie Fries Co. product simply visit our Certificate of Analysis page. There you will find a copy of a COA for every one of our products. If you ever have a question or concern regarding our products and the information provided, including the COA, please reach out to our team! Our goal as a company is to provide a premium product, and that starts with transparency. Our CBD oils and chews are 100% organic, THC-free, lab-tested, and made in an FDA registered facility – because the health of your pets is our priority! You can learn more about our products and our company as a whole when you visit our website. Plus, sign up for our newsletter for the latest information regarding CBD products and research.