The FSA says cannabidiol foods are not properly authorised and pregnant women should not eat them.
For the first time, the FSA has issued advice that pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and people taking medication should not eat foods containing CBD, an ingredient derived from the cannabis plant.
This is a similar group known as the ‘high risk group of individuals’ in food safety who should be cautious when eating certain produce, with food businesses advised to be cautious in serving certain ‘high-risk ready-to-eat foods and other product that may be inherently higher risk to such groups (an example would be raw milk products, non Lion marked raw eggs, certain types of fish etc.).
The FSA cautioned healthy adults as consumers of cannabidiol products and eat such foods not to have more than 70mg a day. ‘Healthy adults are also advised to think carefully before taking CBD, and the FSA recommends no more than 70mg a day (about 28 drops of 5% CBD) unless under medical direction. This new precautionary advice is based on recent findings by the government’s Committee on Toxicity (COT).
And in a warning to CBD businesses, the regulator said goods could be taken off the shelves if those in the industry failed to give more information about the safety and contents of their products by the end of March next year.’
The FSA has asked producers to apply to the FSA for “novel food authorisation” which, the agency said, would reassure the public about the safety of CBD products.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is giving the CBD industry a deadline of 31 March 2021 to submit valid novel food authorisation applications. After 31 March next year, only products which have submitted a valid application will be allowed to remain on the market. The authorisation process ensures novel foods meet legal standards, including on safety and content.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is giving the CBD industry a deadline of 31 March 2021 to submit valid novel food authorisation applications. After 31 March next year, only products which have submitted a valid application will be allowed to remain on the market. The authorisation process ensures novel foods meet legal standards, including on safety and content.
Local authorities enforce the novel food legislation. They have been advised that businesses should be able to sell their existing CBD products during this time provided they are not incorrectly labelled, are not unsafe to eat and do not contain substances that fall under drugs legislation.
Food Standards Agency sets deadline for the CBD industry and provides safety advice to consumers
Further details in the Guardian article here:
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/feb/13/cbd-products-could-be-taken-off-shelves-by-next-year-fsa
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