CBD companies have until March 31 2021 to submit novel food applications for their products

After the deadline, only products that have submitted a valid application will be allowed to remain on the market, giving companies just over a year to sell their non-compliant CBD.

E-liquids and cosmetics are not covered by the regulations.

Testing will determine whether a product is safe to be consumed, is labelled correctly and does not contain substances that come under drug legislation.

FSA chief executive, Emily Miles, said:

“CBD products are widely available on the high street but are not properly authorised.

“The CBD industry must provide more information about the safety and contents of these products to the regulator before 31 March 2021, or the products will be taken off the shelves.

“The actions that we’re taking today are a pragmatic and proportionate step in balancing the protection of public health with consumer choice.

“It’s now up to industry to supply this information so that the public can be reassured that CBD is safe and what it says it is.”

The FSA has also advised vulnerable groups such as breast-feeding or pregnant women not to take CBD.

Healthy adults are recommended to limit their intake to 28 drops of 5% CBD, which amounts to 70mg.

This comes after a review of evidence by the Committee on Toxicology found ‘potential adverse health effects’ from consuming CBD.

Professor Alan Boobis who chairs the committee said:

“We don’t know enough to be sure about such a risk but I am pleased with the sensible and pragmatic approach the FSA is taking.

“The committee will continue to keep these products under review in the months ahead.”

The news was met with mixed reactions from the CBD industry and consumers, with some anticipating that retailers will use loopholes to sell their non-compliant edibles.

Large high street retailers have already said that they are ok with selling chocolate bars labelled as 'chocolate body scrub' (not for consumption)
Australian consumers managed just fine with that same labelling system of hemp seed oil for years. Why encourage that?

— Holistic Highland Hemp (@holisticscot) February 13, 2020

Stephen Mueller, Mile High Labs. “We applaud @foodgov for recognizing the demand for #CBD in the UK, and for taking necessary steps to protect consumers. We welcome the FSA’s progressive focus on CBD compliance.”https://t.co/j0ZYglOMTX#NovelFoods

— The ACI (@ACIndustry) February 13, 2020

What do you think about the novel food process? Do you intend to submit an application? Email editorial@cannavistmag.com and your story may appear in the next issue of The CANNAVIST 

Source: FSA

Image Source: Enecta Cannabis Extracts