EU CBD Novel Food Applications On Hold As EFSA Considers Health Risks
Executive Summary
All European Union CBD novel food applications have been paused by EFSA after its Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens raised concerns about the ingredient's safety, pointing in a wide-ranging scientific literature review to a number of data gaps related to bioavailability, liver damage, gastrointestinal issues and possible negative impacts on pregnancy and reproductive health.
You may also be interested in...
UK FSA Finalizes Public CBD List Comprising Almost 12,000 Products
The UK Food Standards Agency has published the final update to its public CBD list following what Canna Consultants' Matt Lawson describes as a regulatory “baptism of fire.” There are now 11,908 products permitted to remain on the UK market once those classed as “removed” are taken into account. These products will either progress to the “validated” stage of the UK's novel food process or also be removed.
CBD Supplements Safety: EU Two Years Behind UK
When it comes to assessing the safety of CBD in foods, the EU appears to be lagging behind the UK. Food Standards Agency CEO Emily Miles has noted that EFSA recently reached the same conclusions as the UK’s Committee on Toxicity did two years ago: there are still evidence gaps relating to CBD as a food. This may reassure UK operators that with the FSA further along in the assessment process it will not follow EFSA in suspending CBD novel food applications - but as expert Greer Deal notes, it's too soon to say.
Hemp Roundtable Says Safety Study Data Should Convince Congress On Lawful CBD Use
Study of 1,061 subjects showed oral CBD has robust safety profile, addressing FDA’s safety concerns and providing evidence to convince agency to take action on CBD regulation, say trade groups.