On Feb. 13, the U.K. Food Standards Agency (FSA) announced it has set a deadline for CBD authentication.
FSA is giving the CBD industry a deadline of March 31, 2021 to submit valid novel food authorization applications. After the deadline, only products which have submitted a valid application will be allowed to remain on the market. The authorization 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.
“My committee has reviewed the evidence on CBD food products and found evidence there are potential adverse health effects from the consumption of these products. We are particularly concerned about pregnant or breast-feeding women and people on medication,” said Professor Alan Boobis, Chair of the Committee on Toxicity.
“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.”
In response, the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) issued the following statement:
“CRN commends the FSA for creating a legal pathway for CBD in dietary supplements and for its commitment to consumer safety. FSA set a deadline for the CBD industry in the U.K. to submit valid novel food authorization applications by March 31, 2021 and recommended an upper limit of 70 mg a day for healthy adults. After March 31 next year, any products that have not submitted a valid application cannot stay in the market. CRN has called on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) similarly to provide a clear path forward for the U.S. marketplace for over a year, but the agency continues to fail to address the growing, unregulated CBD market in the U.S.,” said Steve Mister, president and CEO, CRN.
“CRN urges the FDA to follow the lead of the FSA and to exercise the statutory discretion provided to it in the Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act to recognize CBD as a lawful new ingredient for use in dietary supplements. Once FDA opens the dietary supplement lane to CBD, it can begin enforcing existing regulations for dietary supplements that assure their quality and safety against companies marketing CBD as dietary supplements. Over 20 million Americans take CBD dietary supplements and FDA’s continued inaction creates safety risks to consumers and inhibits a legal pathway to market for responsible companies. CRN will continue to be a voice for responsible marketers of CBD and work to create a regulatory path forward.”
For more information, visit www.crnusa.org or www.food.gov.uk.
