Italy allows hemp in food

A decree published in the Italian Government's Official Gazette sets the limits in THC in food products, opening up the possibility of incorporating hemp into food, even though the sector had already developed without waiting for a regulatory framework.

The announcement was made by Coldiretti, the largest association representing Italian agriculture: «The expected publication in the Gazzetta clarifies a sector which, in recent years, has experienced a veritable boom» notes Coldiretti. «A type of cultivation that is spreading throughout Italy, a real return [to tradition] if you consider that up until the 1940s, there were almost 100,000 hectares dedicated to it».

The hemp sector, in part with the development of the cannabis light in Italy, has seen a sharp acceleration in recent years. The area under cultivation has risen from 400 hectares in 2013 to almost 4,000 in 2018.

The law will thus be the first step in providing answers to «hundreds of farms that have invested in growing this type of plant», said the Minister. declared Coldiretti.

In particular, the Ministry of Health decree establishes that the maximum THC limit for hemp seeds, flour obtained from seeds and supplements containing derived foods is 2 milligrams per kilo, while for oil obtained from seeds, the limit is 5 milligrams per kilo. These restrictions make no mention of CBD or reference to European Novel Food.

However, regulatory frameworks for other derivatives remain vague, despite growing interest from sectors such as cosmetics.

After the deletion of amendment on diet cannabis by the Italian Senate, Italian entrepreneurs are insisting on a clear framework for their work, in line with constitutional principles. In fact, Italian law only regulates hemp cultivation, with a wide tolerance threshold of between 0.2 and 0.6% THC in the field, which gives no indication whatsoever of the finished product, and therefore leaves Italian entrepreneurs free to act, but also to be prosecuted.

Italy's hemp and CBD sector currently boasts some 1,000 stores and 10,000 employees across the entire production chain.