United Kingdom: ultimatum for CBD oil manufacturers

The Food Standards Agency (FSA), the U.K. agency responsible for protecting public health in the food sector, has issued its first-ever safety advice for consumers regarding CBD oil sold in the United Kingdom, as well as a warning to manufacturers of products containing CBD.

Food Safety Tips Regarding CBD

The FSA advises Pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and people undergoing medical treatment should not consume CBD products. Healthy adults are also advised to think carefully before taking CBD, and the FSA does not recommend more than 70 mg per day (approximately 28 drops at 5% of CBD), unless otherwise advised by a doctor.

Emily Miles, chief executive of the Food Standards Agency, said, «We are warning that CBD could be risky for vulnerable groups, and we recommend an upper limit of 70 mg per day for everyone.»

«The measures we are taking today are a pragmatic and proportionate step toward balancing public health protection with consumer choice. It is now up to the industry to provide this information so that the public can be assured that CBD is safe and that it is indeed what it claims to be.»

This opinion is based on recent findings by the Government Committee on Toxicity (COT).

Professor Alan Boobis, chair of the Toxicity Committee, said: «My committee reviewed the evidence on CBD food products and found evidence that consuming these products may have potential adverse health effects. We are particularly concerned about pregnant or breastfeeding women and people taking medications. We don’t know enough to be certain whether we can take that risk, but I am pleased with the FSA’s responsible and pragmatic approach. The committee will continue to monitor these products in the coming months.»

Deadline for CBD oil manufacturers

The FSA has also set a deadline for CBD companies, which have until March 31, 2021, to submit Novel Food applications valid. After that date, products that do not comply with these requirements may not be sold.

Emily Miles, CEO of the FSA, said, «The various CBD products »are widely available but are not properly regulated. The CBD industry must provide the regulator with more information on the safety and composition of these products by March 31, 2021; otherwise, the products will be removed from stores."

Local authorities will be responsible for enforcing the new food legislation, and the FSA has been informed that businesses should be able to sell their CBD products during this period, provided they are not mislabeled, are safe to consume, and do not contain substances that fall under drug legislation.

Update from February 18, 2020: To the question, “Why does the United Kingdom still comply with the Novel Food Regulation despite Brexit?”, the answer lies in in the withdrawal agreement between the European Union and the United Kingdom, Annex 2, §31 (search for «novel foods»).