CBD labels can be confusing. Some show several milligram figures, some use words like "full-spectrum" or "raw" without explaining them, and a few make promises they shouldn't. If you're an adult thinking about buying CBD in the UK, knowing how to read the label is one of the most useful things you can do. This guide walks through what you'll usually find on a CBD label, what the terms mean, and what to be wary of.
CBD products are for adults only (18+).
Why the label matters
In the UK, CBD that you eat or drink, such as oils and capsules, is regulated as a food, not a medicine. The label is where a seller has to be clear and accurate about what's in the pack. A good label tells you what the product is, how much CBD it contains, how to use it and who shouldn't use it. If you can't find that information easily, that tells you something too.
What you'll usually find on a CBD label
The product name and type
The front of the pack should say what the product is: for example, a CBD oil, CBD capsules or a CBD topical such as a balm. Oils and capsules are taken by mouth. Topicals are applied to the skin and shouldn't be swallowed. Check which kind you're holding before you use it.
The total CBD content
Most labels show the total amount of CBD in the whole pack, in milligrams (mg). This is often the biggest number on the front, and it's the total for the bottle or tub, not the amount in a single drop or capsule. Many labels also give the amount of CBD in a serving. If the label doesn't make the CBD content clear, ask the seller before you buy.
Directions for use
Every ingestible CBD product should come with directions. Follow the label, and don't go beyond what it says.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has published advice for consumers too. FSA advice: healthy adults no more than 10mg CBD a day. Not recommended for under-18s, or if pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to conceive or taking medication.
The ingredients list
Food products, including CBD oils and capsules, list their ingredients. For a CBD oil you'll usually see a carrier oil (such as hemp seed oil or MCT oil) and the hemp extract. Any allergens should be emphasised in the list, often in bold. If you have an allergy, read this section every time, as recipes can change.
Batch number and best before date
Look for a batch or lot number and a best before date. The batch number links the pack in your hand to a particular production run. That matters because lab testing is usually done batch by batch.
Who made or sold it
The label should give the name and address of the business responsible for the product. That way you know who to contact if you have a question. A product with no traceable business name or address on it is worth avoiding.
Full-spectrum, refined and pure: what do the terms mean?
These words describe how much the hemp extract has been processed.
- Full-spectrum (sometimes called raw): the extract keeps a range of compounds from the hemp plant, including trace amounts of THC.
- Refined (broad-spectrum): refined extract has been processed to remove most THC.
- Pure: pure extract is CBD isolate, with no hemp flavour.
There isn't one "best" type. The point is to know which one you're buying, because it affects what's in the product.
What about THC?
THC is a controlled cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. Hemp extracts used in CBD products can contain trace amounts.
CBD is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid. Used as directed, these products are not intended to produce a high.
If you're subject to drug testing at work or in sport, take extra care. Full-spectrum products contain trace amounts of THC, which may cause a positive drug test. If that's a concern, speak to the seller before buying, or don't use them.
Be wary of absolute promises on a label or website about THC. Look for lab testing you can actually check instead.
Lab reports (certificates of analysis)
A certificate of analysis, or COA, is a lab report for a batch of product. It usually shows how much CBD the sample contains and the levels of other cannabinoids, including THC. When you look at one, check:
- that the product named on the report matches the product you're buying
- the name of the laboratory that carried out the test
- the date of the report
- the CBD and THC results
- that the batch number on the report matches the batch number on your pack
We publish the lab reports we hold for our CBD oils and capsules on our Certificates of Analysis page.
Red flags on a CBD label
Put the product back if you see any of these:
- Medical or health claims. CBD food products can't legally claim to treat, cure or prevent any condition. If a product is presented as a treatment, it's being sold as a medicine, and only licensed medicines can make those claims.
- No clear CBD content. You should be able to see how much CBD is in the pack.
- No directions or warnings. A responsible label tells you how to use the product and who shouldn't use it.
- No business name or address. You should always be able to trace who's behind a product.
- Packaging that looks like sweets or is designed to appeal to children. CBD is for adults only.
Frequently asked questions
Is the big number on the front the amount in one serving?
Usually not. The biggest number on a CBD label is normally the total CBD in the whole pack. Check the back of the pack for the serving information and directions, and follow the label.
How much CBD should I take?
Follow the label. FSA advice: healthy adults no more than 10mg CBD a day. Not recommended for under-18s, or if pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to conceive or taking medication.
Can CBD show up on a drug test?
It's possible. Full-spectrum products contain trace amounts of THC, which may cause a positive drug test. If you're drug-tested, check with the seller before buying.
Questions?
Legally Green is a small independent business in Brighton and Hove. If you have a question about a label or a lab report on our site, get in touch or email legallygreenuk@gmail.com. For more guides, have a look at our blog.