The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has given the CBD industry time till 31 March 2021 to submit valid novel food authorisation applications.
The agency said products which have not submitted a valid application by this deadline will not be allowed to remain on the market.
The regulator clarified that businesses should be able to sell their existing cannabidiol (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.”
The FSA has also given safety advice to consumers, asking vulnerable groups - those who are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking any medication - not to take CBD, and healthy adults to take no more than 70mg a day.
“The actions that we’re taking … 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,” said Emily Miles, chief executive of the FSA.
CBD, a chemical found naturally within the cannabis plant, was confirmed as a novel food product in January 2019. Under the novel food regulations, foods or food ingredients which do not have a history of consumption before May 1997 should be evaluated and authorised before they can be placed on the market.
CBD extract is used in a range of products such as oils, confectionery, bakery products and drinks.
The regulation, however, is not applicable for cosmetics, vapes, products making medicinal claims or products containing controlled drugs such as THC.
