The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has launched a public
consultation on the proposed recommendation to authorise the
first cannabidiol (CBD) food products as novel foods in Great
Britain.
CBD is a non-controlled cannabinoid extracted from the cannabis
plant. It is found within hemp and cannabis plants and can be
produced synthetically.
CBD products are being sold as foods, often as food supplements,
in the UK and may include but not limited to:
- oils, capsules and gummies
- sweets and confectionery
- drinks
The consultation focuses on
three applications (RP07, RP350 and RP 427) that are the first to
have successfully progressed through the initial safety
assessment stages. The FSA is consulting on their draft
recommendations to Ministers in England and Wales to authorise
these applications with clear labelling requirements that provide
information about safe and appropriate use to help consumers make
informed choices about CBD products. If approved by Ministers,
products attached to the applications would become the first
fully regulated CBD food products available on the UK market,
subject to meeting the specifications of the
authorisation.
The FSA‘s draft recommendations include the proposal that all
authorised CBD products should carry clear warning labels
stating:
- Not suitable for persons under the age of 18
- Not suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding or for those
trying to conceive
- Those taking medications or who are immunosuppressed should
consult a healthcare professional before use
The FSA welcomes the views and comments of all stakeholders and
interested parties during the consultation process which will be
open for 12 weeks, closing on 20th November 2025.
Food Standards Scotland (FSS) intend to issue the
equivalent consultation for Scotland in late summer.
This is another step forward in the FSA's work to bring CBD into
compliance with the law. We encourage those with an interest in
this area to respond to the consultation so that we can take
account of a full range of views before putting our
recommendations to Government ministers.
With these recommendations, we are moving closer to a regulated
market for CBD which will support growth in the industry while
maintaining high safety standards.'
Authorisation of CBD food products will support the Government's
growth agenda by allowing businesses with approved products to
reformulate and develop new brands and product lines. Currently,
no CBD food products have legal authorisation in the UK.
Thomas Vincent, Food Standards Agency
