Label integrity of cannabidiol consumer products : a matrix-specific review of accuracy, contaminants, and regulatory gaps (2017–2025)

Abstract

The global market for cannabidiol (CBD) consumer products is continuing to expand across food, supplement, cosmetic, and inhalable categories, outside the regulatory frameworks applied to authorised medicines. This review assesses the accuracy of CBD label claims and the presence of chemical contaminants across consumer CBD products reported between 2017 and 2025. A narrative literature review of 28 peer-reviewed analytical studies encompassing multiple product matrices was carried out. Studies were categorised according to whether they applied ±10% or ±15% label-accuracy thresholds, or reported only mean deviations from labelled values. Results show that 31.3% (294/937) of products complied with commonly applied label-accuracy threshold within ±10%. Oils and tinctures were most frequently accurately labelled (41.3%, 124/300), whereas edibles (40.5%, 106/262), vape products (24.3%, 28/115), and topicals (13.8%, 36/260) showed pronounced mislabelling, absence of declared CBD, and within-product heterogeneity. Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ⁹-THC), synthetic and semi-synthetic cannabinoids, heavy metals, pesticides, and residual solvents were detected, occasionally at levels exceeding legal or toxicological thresholds. Evidence indicates quality-control deficiencies across the CBD consumer market, with important implications for consumer safety, dosing reliability, and regulatory oversight. Product-category variability suggests inadequate standardisation of manufacturing and labelling practices across formulation matrices. Interpretation of the findings was limited by heterogeneity in analytical methodologies, sampling strategies, reporting practices, and label-accuracy criteria between studies. The detection of mislabelling and contaminants across geographically diverse investigations supports the need for harmonised analytical standards, matrix-specific acceptance criteria, mandatory contaminant screening, and strengthened post-market surveillance to better protect public health.