The Critical Differences Between Organic and Certified Organic Hemp Extract
Everything you surround yourself with impacts your health — the food you eat, the clothes you wear, the products you use on your skin, and in your home. Even the air you breathe and the water you drink affects your well-being.
It’s particularly important to be mindful of what you put into your body, and making informed choices about food and supplements is critical.
The quality of these products can directly impact your physical health, mental well-being, and overall quality of life. That’s why in recent years, the organic movement has emerged and changed the way food is produced. But the term ‘organic’ can be confusing. Here, we’ll explain what it means for CBD products and why you should choose organic hemp extract.
What does organic mean?
The word ‘organic’ can refer to anything that derives from living matter — you’re an organic life form. It’s often used to describe things that are natural or related to nature.
All hemp is technically organic, as are all plants, vegetables, and animals. As you can see, many products could be considered ‘organic,’ and it’s a word that’s often overused, particularly regarding food and farming. And this is why it’s important to understand the difference between ‘organic’ and ‘certified organic.’
What does certified organic mean?
Certified organic products have been grown and processed according to strict guidelines set by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP) sets the standards that farmers and processors must follow to label their products as ‘certified organic.’
To be certified organic, a product must be grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers. It must also be processed without irradiation, genetic engineering, or other synthetic techniques. Organic producers should also choose natural substances and physical, mechanical, or biologically based farming methods wherever possible.
Here are some of the standards for organic certification:
- Farming methods: The land must not have been treated with prohibited substances for at least 3 years before harvest. They must also have defined boundaries to prevent outside contamination. Farmers must rotate crops to improve the soil.
- Pest and weed control: Farmers must remove pests using natural methods like traps, repellants, or bug predators. Weeds are minimized through mulching with biodegradable materials, mowing, or allowing livestock to graze.
- Additives: Common additives like sulfites and nitrates are prohibited in organic products. Some non-toxic additives are allowed.
Somewhat confusingly, there are different levels of ‘organic’ The USDA certifies organic products as either 100% organic, meaning made entirely of certified organic ingredients, or organic. Organic products must be made of at least 95% organic ingredients, with the remaining 5% being allowed to come from non-organic sources that appear on an approved list of substances.
Once certified, producers can use the ‘USDA Organic’ seal on their products. The certification process is voluntary, but it gives consumers added peace of mind that the product meets a certain standard.
What if a product doesn’t carry the USDA seal?
As you can imagine, the USDA seal is highly coveted, and companies must meet exacting requirements to earn it. You may see products labeled as ‘organic’ for marketing purposes, but this is an illegal practice unless they are USDA-certified.
The only exception is that products made from 70% organic ingredients can state ‘made with organic ingredients on the labels without a seal.
Yet, many companies have leveraged the organic movement to sell products that are not, in fact, organic. So, it’s important to be aware of what you’re buying and to do your research. If you want to be certain, only buy from trusted brands with a reputation for quality, and look for the USDA seal.
Why is organic hemp extract the better choice?
As CBD increases in popularity, the number of companies peddling hemp products has skyrocketed. But with the Food and Drug Administration yet to regulate the CBD industry, many of these brands are using subpar ingredients and failing to adhere to good manufacturing practices. So, how can you ensure you invest your hard-earned money in a quality product?
The simplest way is to choose certified organic CBD products. Because certified organic hemp extract must meet the same rigorous standards as any other organic product, you can be confident that it’s free from harmful pesticides and other toxic contaminants.
Consider the alternatives. Many mass-produced CBD products have less-than-ideal origins. They’re extracted from inferior hemp plants grown on noxious industrial land, surrounded by toxic pollutants. If the soil and air nourishing the hemp plants are contaminated, it stands to reason that the final product will be too. Remember that hemp is a bio-accumulator, meaning it absorbs everything in the soil, including heavy metals and toxins.
In addition, many of these brands use harsh chemicals and solvents in their extraction processes, which can leave residual toxins in the final product. Not enough is known yet about these contaminants, but they could have serious long-term health effects
Not only do these extraction processes bathe the plants in chemicals, but the solvents damage the natural, beneficial profile of hemp plant compounds. Harsh chemicals may isolate CBD, but they strip away other crucial cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. These substances work in tandem with CBD to create what is known as the ‘entourage effect,’ which maximizes the therapeutic benefits of organic hemp extract.
If a product lacks organic certification, you run the risk of it containing mold, toxins, pollutants, heavy metals, and other undesirable substances. So, avoid these risks by only purchasing certified organic hemp extract.
Know what’s in your organic hemp extract!
At Nesas Hemp, we believe in using nature’s finest ingredients in our organic hemp extract. We’re passionate about hemp and continually strive to exceed traditional ideals.
In fact, we’re so committed to excellence we’ve created a new standard in the hemp industry. It’s called ‘Beyond Organic’ because instead of settling for organic certification, we go above and beyond these standards in dozens of ways, from seed to shelf.
When you buy from Nesas Hemp, you can be confident you’re getting the highest quality organic hemp extract on the market today.
Not all organic products are made equal! Choose certified organic hemp extract to guarantee a product is safe from toxins, pollutants, and contaminants. Read more here.
