Parents sometimes ask whether the CBD foods sold in shops are suitable for children. Retail CBD foods and prescribed cannabinoid medicines are different products with different uses.
For adults only. The FSA does not recommend CBD food products for under-18s unless under medical direction.
The World Health Organization’s 2017 discussion of cannabidiol included research involving children. Research on prescribed CBD medicines in children does not mean ordinary retail CBD foods are suitable for children.
Note: Questions about a child’s treatment belong with their specialist. CBD can interact with medicines and change how the body metabolises them.
The CTA insists that brands should “never knowingly sell CBD products to anyone under the age of 18.” And that “Anyone purchasing on the behalf of an under 18 must be aware that products […] have stipulated recommended doses.” The ACI is more specific and requires brands to “indicate pregnant, breastfeeding women and children must not consume CBD products.”
Some medical research has studied cannabidiol in children. Its findings depend on the medicine, condition, amount used and supervision involved. They should not be treated as evidence that ordinary retail CBD food products are suitable for children.
Some studies have reported minor side effects when consuming CBD. These include:
Prescribed cannabinoid medicines are assessed and used in a medical setting. Decisions about prescription treatment for a child belong with their specialist. They are separate from choosing a CBD food in a shop.
Adult CBD food guidance cannot be converted into a suitable amount for a child based on weight. Questions about amounts belong with the child’s specialist.
| Product context | Guidance for children |
|---|---|
| Retail CBD foods | The FSA does not recommend these for under-18s unless under medical direction. Use only under medical direction. |
| Prescribed cannabinoid medicines | Use is a separate medical decision for the child’s specialist. |
The adult FSA food advice is not a rule for children.
The points below explain retail product labels only; they do not tell you whether a product is suitable for a child.
Retail product labels, extraction information, and laboratory reports describe different aspects of a product:
This will confirm that it is a CBD product and whether the strength is suitable for your needs. Some scam companies try to pass hemp seed oil off as CBD oil so always check that the label clearly states “CBD oil” and an amount in mg. For example, “500mg CBD oil” or “5% CBD oil”.
Supercritical CO2 extraction is the most effective, safe method to remove CBD from hemp plants. It only releases the necessary cannabinoids and leaves no dangerous solvent residue or contamination.
Certificates of Analysis completed by a third-party lab offer assurance that the product is high quality and has been safely prepared. They show that the profile of cannabinoids is legal, safe and effective. Chemicals and contaminants are also checked for and noted in the analysis. A sample from each batch of any CBD product must be tested and the certificate should be accessible from the product page.
Organic certification concerns how hemp is grown. It is distinct from evidence of suitability for a child. Read more about organic cultivation and chemical contamination. Brands displaying certification must meet the relevant organic standards.
Full-spectrum and broad-spectrum products contain a range of other cannabinoids alongside the CBD. They’re likely to be better quality and the ‘entourage effect theory’ suggests that they may have a better range of benefits than those made with CBD isolate.
At for the Ageless we try every product before we stock it to ensure that it’s effective and of exceptional quality.
These existing product examples illustrate differences in concentration and label information. They are not recommendations for children.
From BioBloom, this oil is certified organic and has been made with whole-plant extract. It’s nutritionally rich and contains many of the beneficial substances from the hemp plant including a full-spectrum of cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids and fatty acids.
Each 10ml bottle contains 400mg of CBD and one drop delivers 2mg at a time. These figures describe the product only; they are not a recommendation for children.
We stock it because of BioBloom’s long track record for reaching the highest safety standards and providing high-quality products. Up to date, third-party certificates are available on the product page and they verify all of the claims on the bottle.
This 5% oil from Biopurus is slightly stronger but is also made with a whole-plant hemp extract. It’s full-spectrum and is packed full of useful plant nutrients and terpenes.
All CBD products from Biopurus have been awarded an organic certification. In one bottle you get 500mg of CBD and one drop holds 2.5mg.
We’ve worked with Biopurus for several years and are always impressed by the quality of their products and their high safety standards. Current lab certificates are easy to find on the product page.
For adults only. The FSA does not recommend CBD food products for under-18s unless under medical direction. Prescribed/medical cannabinoid use in children is a separate matter for the child’s specialist.
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Tom Russell
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Tom Russell writes extensively about CBD oil and other groundbreaking food supplements. He and his wife share their home with two daughters and a lifetime’s collection of books.