Materials that have been designated as food grade can be substances that are approved to come into contact with food, or substances that are actually safe to consume. In the case of terpenes, food grade simply means terpenes that have been extracted from a natural resource, such as citrus fruits, pine trees and cannabis.

Although the terminology may seem misleading to consumers, it’s important to remember that food grade does not necessarily mean safe to eat. Without knowing the right quantities, adding terpenes to edible products can be detrimental to human health. Companies seeking to infuse terpenes into their ingestible or inhalable products should research how to safely dilute and infuse terpenes, which terpene concentrations are safe in food, and how to comply with state or country-wide food regulations. For more information on food grade terpenes or instructions for mixing them properly, reach an Eybna representative for a consultation.

The short answer is no, not all terpenes are food grade. Food grade terpenes refer to all terpenes that have been extracted from any natural source, including cannabis. The molecular structure of food grade terpenes isolated from cannabis and other plants are identical, producing the same olfactory and gustatory effects.

The other category of terpenes available on the market is synthetic terpenes, which are man-made, artificially manufactured terpenes. Terpenes manipulated in a lab can contain innovative taste and smell combinations that you won’t find in organic terpenes. However, synthetic terpenes are still an emerging branch of cannabis studies and it’s not yet clear how they actually stack up against natural terpenes as far as producing a full-spectrum effect. Furthermore, synthetic terpenes may not always be food grade owing to the associated manufacturing process.

Overall, infusing food grade terpenes with cannabis products can help elevate the cannabis’ aromatic and flavor profiles while helping reproduce the full flower effect. However, reconstructing the right terpene profile or creating a brand-new flavor experience begins by assembling the highest quality, food grade terpenes to deliver a safe, consumer-friendly cannabis experience.

Explore how Food Grade Terpenes can be added to Cannabis Extraction and Concentrates.