Verdant Oasis hemp extract is now self-affirmed GRAS

Photo © AdobeStock.com/contentdealer

Verdant Nature LLC (Cheyenne, WY), in collaboration with HempFusion Inc. (Denver, CO), announced that its Verdant Oasis brand of Panoramic Entourage Phytocannabinoid-rich Whole Plant Hemp Extract (VOHO hemp oil) is now self-affirmed GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe). This conclusion is based on tests performed in accordance with U.S. FDA Redbook Guidelines, reviewed by an independent panel of toxicologists, including experts from GRAS Associates.

“FDA expects the hemp industry to prove safety of phytocannabinoid-rich hemp oil and Verdant Nature has answered the call as part of our commitment to establish a quality and safety benchmark for genuine hemp oil,” said Carl Germano, CNS, CDN, vice president of Verdant Nature, in a press release. “Extensive toxicology studies were conducted in accordance with FDA Redbook guidelines, including Ames Mutagenicity, Micronucleus Genotoxicity, 14 Day Acute, 90 Day Sub-Chronic, and Maximum Tolerated Dose. The review and evaluation of these studies and the NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect) were published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal PLOS One.¹”

“VOHO Hemp Oil GRAS status provides a runway for our clients to expand from dietary supplements to novel functional foods, incorporating benefits of phytocannabinoids’ support of the body’s Endocannabinoid System (ECS),” added Germano. “This independent review further assures Verdant Nature’s customers that our number one goal is to provide safe and legal phytocannabinoid-rich hemp oil as a quality benchmark in the vast sea of questionable products.”

As an example, Germano cites a recent study published in the New Phytologist² which found that many products touted as hemp were actually determined to be marijuana when tested genetically. “The authors conclude that high CBD plants are genetically marijuana and cannot be expected to meet the legal definition of industrial hemp,” states Germano. “This suggests that CBD products derived from these materials may be incorrectly labeled and potentially misbranded.”

Verdant Nature’s VOHO hemp oil is derived from European seed bank registered genuine industrial hemp. It is extracted in Verdant’s FDA registered facilities that are independently certified HACCP and GMP compliant by SGS, certified organic under the USDA-National Organic program, and released for interstate commerce through the U.S. CBP entry process.

References

1. Dziwenka M et al. “Toxicological safety of VOHO Hemp Oil; a supercritical fluid extract from the aerial parts of hemp.” PLOS ONE, vol. 16, no. 12 (2021)
2. Grass CJ et al. “A new Cannabis genome assembly associates elevated cannabidiol (CBD) with hemp introgressed into marijuana.” New Phytologist, vol. 230, no. 4 (2021): 1665-1679