A recent study conducted by scientists at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) evaluated the potential for human exposure to the psychoactive compound, cannabidiol (CBD), and its metabolite, cannabidiol (CBN), from consuming meat from cattle that have been fed hempseed cake.
Hempseed cake is a byproduct of the hemp plant, which is commonly used for industrial purposes, including the production of textiles, paper, and biofuels. The use of hempseed cake as a feed supplement for livestock has gained popularity due to its high protein content and beneficial fatty acid profile.
However, concerns have been raised about the potential for hempseed cake to contaminate meat products with cannabinoids, particularly CBD and CBN, which are commonly found in the plant.
To investigate this issue, the USDA researchers conducted a feeding trial with 12 beef cattle, feeding them a diet containing 20% hempseed cake for a period of 90 days. The researchers collected samples of meat, liver, and kidney tissue from the cattle and analysed them for the presence of cannabinoids.
The results of the study showed that there was no detectable level of CBD or CBN in any of the meat samples tested. The researchers also found that the level of THC, the psychoactive compound found in cannabis, was below the limit of quantification in all of the meat samples.
The findings suggest that the use of hempseed cake as a feed supplement for cattle does not pose a significant risk of human exposure to cannabinoids through the consumption of meat products.
However, the researchers note that their study had some limitations, including the small sample size and the relatively short duration of the feeding trial. They recommend further studies to confirm their findings and to investigate the potential for other cannabinoids to accumulate in meat products from cattle-fed hempseed cake.
Overall, the study provides some reassurance that the use of hempseed cake as a feed supplement for livestock does not pose a significant risk of human exposure to cannabinoids through the consumption of meat products. However, it also highlights the need for further research to fully understand the potential risks and benefits of this practice.
The use of hempseed cake as a feed supplement for cattle may offer some nutritional benefits, but it is important to ensure that the practice does not pose any significant risks to human health. The findings of this study provide some preliminary evidence that this may not be a concern, but further research is needed to confirm these findings and to better understand the potential risks and benefits of this practice.
In a world where the use of hemp-derived products is becoming increasingly popular, it is important to continue to conduct rigorous scientific studies to fully understand the potential impacts on human health and the environment.