EFSA pauses evaluation of CBD as Novel Food

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is pausing assessments of CBD as a Novel Food «due to data gaps and uncertainties about potential hazards».

Following the classification of CBD as Novel Food by the European Commission in 2019, which member states are free to follow or not, EFSA has been commissioned to give the «Novel Food» stamp to CBD extracts from companies that request it.

A long, tedious and costly process, EFSA has so far received 19 applications to register CBD extracts as novel foods, 5 of which have recently been validated by the European Commission, prior to examination by EFSA.

Last February, the Commission was to issue its scientific opinion «within nine months of receipt, noting however that extensions are possible if additional data are requested».

And so it happened. Professor Dominique Turck, Chairman of the New Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) panel, explains: «We have identified several dangers associated with CBD consumption and determined that the many data gaps on these health effects must be filled before these assessments can move forward. It is important to emphasize at this point that we have not concluded that CBD is unsafe as a food.»

Thus, according to EFSA, there are insufficient data on effects of CBD on the liver, gastrointestinal tract, endocrine system, nervous system and psychological well-being.

Companies that have submitted Novel Food dossiers for their CBD extracts will therefore have to provide additional proof of safety before EFSA will resume consideration of their dossiers.

Ana Afonso, Head of Nutrition and Food Innovation at EFSA, said: «It is not unusual to stop the evaluation of a novel food when information is lacking. The onus is on applicants to fill data gaps. We engage with them to explain how additional information can be provided to help remove uncertainties.»

No timeframe has been announced for the resumption of Novel Food validations, but we're betting it'll take a few more years.