The FSA issues warning on responsible CBD food marketing

23-Dec-2021 - Last updated on 22-Dec-2021 at 13:05 GMT

The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA)’s chief executive is urging the CBD industry to market their products responsibly and has offered support to local authorities that need help with their enforcement efforts.

During a board meeting, Emily Miles set out how the FSA proposes to regulate cannabidiol (CBD), with a focus on compliance and the requirement for CBD to undergo an FSA safety assessment. She highlighted that the process would also include updating the CBD public list.

“My message to the CBD industry, and to retailers, is that you need act responsibly when marketing and selling these products. And my message to local authorities is that, as products are rejected from our market authorisation process, you may need to step up enforcement efforts. The FSA will support you in this process,” Miles said.

There are currently no CBD food products available on the market that have completed the compulsory safety assessment and have been given permission for sale. However, the CBD public list is due to be updated shortly, which will provide a public record of credible product applications that have requested the necessary authorisation.

Enforcement priorities

The list will enable retailers and local authorities in England and Wales to establish the status of CBD food products and decide which enforcements should be prioritised.

Commenting on behalf of the board, Professor Susan Jebb, Chair of the FSA, said: “The FSA has a duty to protect consumers. I want to take this opportunity to ask people to think carefully before taking CBD and to follow the FSA’s advice about CBD products. The FSA will not hesitate to take action if evidence emerges that products are unsafe and consumers at great risk.”

In England and Wales, companies had until 31 March to submit novel foods dossiers to the FSA in order for their CBD food products to be able to legally remain on the market.

Applications for authorisation of these products are required because they are considered ‘novel food’, having no history of consumption before May 1997. These products include CBD oils, supplements, tablets and sprays.