Why Do Beverage Test Results Sometimes Come Back Different Than Expected?

Understanding Variability in Cannabinoid Beverage Testing and What It Really Means

It can be surprising to receive a Certificate of Analysis (COA) that doesn’t quite match the expected cannabinoid concentration. Maybe a beverage was formulated for 5mg per can, but the lab result shows 4mg—or even 6mg. That kind of deviation may raise red flags at first glance, especially when viewed as a percentage difference.

But in most cases, these variations are explainable, relatively minor, and often related to how the product is formulated, sampled, or stored.

What Does a “20% Difference” Really Mean?

If a beverage is designed to contain 5mg of a cannabinoid and tests at 4mg, that looks like a 20% deviation on paper. But in terms of actual concentration, the difference is minimal.

In a 355 mL can, 5mg is about 0.0014% (14 parts per million), while 4mg is 0.0011% (11 ppm). So from an analytical perspective, the equipment is measuring something as subtle as five vs. four grains of salt dissolved in the entire can.

These are extremely small differences that can appear much more significant when expressed as percentages.

Common Reasons for Unexpected Results

1. Sample Preparation Variability

Most cannabinoid testing methods involve diluting the beverage sample before analysis. This dilution is guided by an estimated potency range provided at submission.

If the estimated dosage is off—such as in a blind or unverified sample—the result may appear lower or higher than expected. This doesn’t indicate a problem with testing itself but highlights how accurate input and consistent prep are key to reliable results.

Even small differences in how a sample is handled can affect final numbers.

2. Cannabinoid Separation or Settling

Cannabinoids in beverages are usually delivered via nanoemulsions that must remain suspended in the liquid. If a sample is taken from a can where the emulsion has separated, or if the beverage wasn’t mixed before sampling, results can vary significantly from the intended potency.

3. Pulp in the Beverage

Nanoemulsions often stick to pulp or particulate matter. If the product isn’t fully homogenized during canning, some cans may be overdosed while others have very little active content.

In one real-world case, a 5mg beverage tested as high as 50mg in one unit and close to zero in another. The solution involved using a shear mixer to ensure consistent dispersion.

4. Low-Acidity Formulations

Products like lemonades or other low-pH beverages can destabilize nanoemulsions over time. This leads to clumping or separation, both of which impact the measured cannabinoid content.

Maintaining proper acidity is a key part of formulation stability.

5. Storage Conditions and Time

Cannabinoid emulsions can degrade or adhere to can liners over time, especially if exposed to heat, light, or long storage durations.

Older samples often show reduced potency—not due to formulation error, but because of chemical interactions or breakdown over time.

6. Lab-to-Lab Variability

Even with standardized methods, small differences between labs are expected. In one dataset, results from another lab averaged about 8% higher than results from New Bloom—well within the normal range of inter-lab variance.

Check standards can help align results and verify consistency between labs.

How to Promote More Consistent Results

If you're aiming for more reliable and predictable cannabinoid content in beverages, consider these steps:

• Thoroughly mix each sample before sending it to the lab

• Avoid pulp-heavy formulations or use homogenization equipment to ensure even dispersion

• Maintain acidity in low-pH products to stabilize nanoemulsions

• Store products properly (cool, dark places, minimal time on shelf)

• Use consistent sample sourcing—pull from the same point in the batch for each test

• Track formulation changes (emulsifiers, cannabinoids, etc.)

• Communicate with your lab if the sample has unique challenges or history

Final Thoughts

Minor variations in cannabinoid results are a normal part of beverage testing—especially when emulsions, pulp, or formulation complexity are involved.

A 20% deviation often sounds alarming, but in most cases, it’s the result of tiny, explainable differences that don’t affect product safety or functionality.

At New Bloom Labs, we’re committed to helping you interpret and act on your results—not just delivering numbers. If something doesn’t look right, we’re here to help investigate and improve consistency over time.