What is Adulteration?

Adulteration is the intentional (or sometimes negligent) alteration of a product in ways that reduce quality or create safety concerns—often to cut costs, stretch supply, or mimic a “premium” profile. It shows up across consumer markets including foods, supplements, cosmetics, botanicals, and essential oils. In botanical supply chains, economic pressure and inconsistent sourcing can increase temptation and risk, especially when high-demand ingredients are scarce or expensive (Grebow, 2019).

Not all problems are intentional. Contamination can be accidental—introduced by polluted soil, pesticide drift, poor sanitation, or equipment failures. This is why manufacturing environments lean heavily on documented standard operating procedures (SOPs): repeatable, validated steps that reduce variability and prevent hygiene lapses (Cohen & Ziskind, 2013).

Where Adulteration Enters the Supply Chain

As hemp and cannabis demand grows, the need for rigorous quality controls grows with it. Contamination can begin at cultivation if soils contain heavy metals, residual pesticides, or microbial hazards. If cultivation relies on prohibited pesticides or unsafe inputs, those residues can follow the crop downstream. In regulated markets, these issues can make material unsellable and can also create health risks for end users (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2017; Dryburgh et al., 2018).

Drying and storage are common risk points. Freshly harvested flower holds significant moisture, and if it is not dried quickly and evenly, conditions can support mold and bacterial growth. Controlling temperature, humidity, airflow, and final moisture content helps reduce microbial growth and spoilage (Cohen & Ziskind, 2013).

Processing introduces additional opportunities for both contamination and adulteration. Extraction can leave residual solvents if not properly controlled, and formulated products can be “stretched” with lower-quality additives—especially in terpene blends, diluents, or flavor systems sourced from outside suppliers. These risks are amplified in products designed for inhalation (e.g., vape cartridges) where purity and toxicology considerations are particularly important (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2017; Dryburgh et al., 2018).

How Consumers Can Reduce Risk

The most practical consumer protection is verifying transparency. Look for brands that clearly list ingredients, disclose where their hemp/cannabis inputs are sourced, and provide a current certificate of analysis (COA) from a reputable lab. A COA typically includes cannabinoid potency and commonly required safety screens (e.g., pesticides, heavy metals, microbials, residual solvents—depending on product type and local rules).

If a product’s pricing seems unrealistically low, treat it as a signal to investigate further. Even as wholesale CBD costs decline, high-quality finished products still reflect the cost of compliant cultivation, validated manufacturing, and comprehensive testing.

Better Solutions for Growers and Manufacturers

Preventing adulteration is easier than detecting it after the fact. Cultivators can reduce upstream risk by testing soil before planting, using clean water sources, documenting inputs, and adopting integrated pest management (IPM) to minimize pesticide reliance. Downstream, manufacturers should qualify suppliers, verify incoming ingredients (especially terpene blends and other high-risk inputs), and maintain SOP-driven sanitation and batch records.

Strong SOP programs help teams produce consistent results and reduce errors—especially in fast-growing markets where staff turnover and scaling pressures can increase mistakes (Stuck, n.d.). Ultimately, supply-chain education and transparent testing protect everyone: growers, manufacturers, retailers, and consumers.

References

1. Cohen, M., & Ziskind, J. (2013). Preventing Artificial Adulterants and Natural Contaminants in Cannabis Production: Best Practices (Rep.). Retrieved from Link
2. Dryburgh, L. M., Bolan, N. S., Grof, C. P., Galettis, P., Schneider, J., Lucas, C. J., & Martin, J. H. (2018). Cannabis contaminants: Sources, distribution, human toxicity and pharmacologic effects. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 84(11), 2468–2476. Link
3. Grebow, J. (2019). 2019 Ingredient Trends to Watch for Food, Drinks, and Dietary Supplements: Adulteration Risk. Nutritional Outlook, 37–40. Link
4. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2017). Chapter 2: Cannabis. In The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids (pp. 43–60). Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
5. Schmidt, E. (n.d.). Summary of Adulteration of Essential Oils Chapter from Handbook of Essential Oils, 2nd Edition. Link
6. Stuck, K. (n.d.). Food Safety Solutions for Edible Cannabis: Contamination, Sourcing and SOPs. Link