Best Hemp Seeds? Some Contain Mold, ConsumerLab Tests Reveal

Hulled hemp seeds, or "hemp hearts" can be a good source of protein, polyunsaturated fats, magnesium, and other important nutrients, but new tests by ConsumerLab reveal that some hemp seeds are contaminated with mold.

ConsumerLab tested six popular brands of organic, hulled hemp seeds, all of which were purchased online or at retail just as consumers would. The tests showed most products met quality standards, but two exceed contamination limits for mold.

Key Findings:

• Mold was a problem: Two hemp seed products were contaminated with mold, containing 3 to 9 times the acceptable limit. Levels above this limit indicate possible spoilage from poor storage conditions or contamination during processing. The mold was not visible, so consumers would likely not be aware of the issue. The results were confirmed in a second, independent laboratory. There was no detectable contamination with Salmonella or E.coli.
• Nutrition labels were accurate: All products contained their listed nutrients, including protein, fiber, fat, magnesium and iron, within a reasonable margin.
• Heavy metals were low across products: None of the tested products exceeded the State of California's Prop 65 limits for heavy metals (lead, cadmium, arsenic, or mercury), although the product with highest mold count also had the most cadmium – three times as much as any other product.
• Cost did not indicate quality: The cost for a 3-tablespoon serving of organic hemp seeds ranged from about 60 cents to more than $1.50. One of the most expensive products was one found to have the highest levels of mold.

ConsumerLab’s Top Pick

Among the brands that passed testing and were approved for quality, CL selected one as its Top Pick for hemp seed, with no detectable mold or yeast, and a price lower than most of the competition.

Access the Full Report:

ConsumerLab’s full Hemp Seed Review can now be accessed online by ConsumerLab.com members – currently over 100,000 individual subscribers and thousands more with access through libraries, schools, and medical centers.

The Hemp Seed Review includes test results and comparisons for six hemp seed products selected for testing by ConsumerLab: 365 [Whole Foods Market] Organic Hemp Seed, Bob's Red Mill Hemp Seed Hearts, Kirkland Signature [Costco] Organic Hemp Hearts, Manitoba Harvest Hemp Hearts, Terrasoul Superfoods Hemp Seeds, and Trader Joe's Organic Shelled Hemp Seeds.

As explained in the Review, hemp seeds are relatively nutritious, providing about nine grams of protein, 15 grams of polyunsaturated fats, 250 mg of magnesium, 3 mg of zinc, and 2 mg of iron per 3-tablespoon serving. Hemp seeds are also high in fiber, although hulled hemp seeds (hemp hearts) have relatively little. Hemp seeds are promoted for improving heart health, lowering blood sugar, boosting testosterone, improving body composition, easing rheumatoid arthritis pain, and for other conditions, although clinical research is sparse. The Review also explains what to look for when choosing a hemp seed product, and the best way to store hemp seeds, which, due to their high fatty acid content, can easily go rancid.

A video explaining ConsumerLab’s findings and offering expert tips for selecting and using protein powders and shakes is available for free.

Founded in 1999, ConsumerLab.com is a leading provider of consumer information and independent evaluations of products that affect health and nutrition. It has tested and reviewed over 7,000 products and has published Product Reviews covering nearly every popular category of dietary supplements and health foods.

Membership to ConsumerLab.com is available online and provides immediate access to continually updated reviews of nearly every popular type of dietary supplement and health food, answers to reader questions, and product recalls and warnings. ConsumerLab also provides independent product testing through its voluntary Quality Certification Program. The company is privately held and based in New York. It has no ownership from, or interest in, companies that manufacture, distribute, or sell consumer products.

2 Out of 6 Hemp Seeds Failed ConsumerLab Tests for Mold