Novel foods and CBD

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) novel food regulations for food supplements containing cannabidiol (CBD) took effect on April 1st 2021. These rules determine what products can and cannot be sold in the UK.

The regulations cover CBD oils & sprays, CBD capsules, CBD gummies, CBD paste and other edible products. It is important to note that CBD balms & creams, patches, bath bombs, hemp tea and CBD vape oils do not require novel food authorisation to remain on sale.

What are novel food regulations for CBD?

Novel food regulation requires manufacturers and brands to present evidence showing that their product is safe, consistent, legal and contains what it claims on the label.

Applicants must submit toxicology reports, details of their manufacturing processes, safety information and ingredients to the FSA. The FSA then carries out an initial assessment to decide if the product can remain on sale, followed by a more detailed evaluation before a final decision is made.

What changes as a result of these regulations?

Products not included on the FSA list can no longer be sold in the UK. For consumers this creates a framework to ensure only the safest products remain available.

Some smaller producers could not afford the significant costs of making an application and have gradually disappeared from the UK market.

Also, it is expected that regulations around the amount of THC (1mg per bottle) will now be more strictly enforced. As a result, some brands have created broad-spectrum and isolate-based products (both THC-free) to replace their full-spectrum ranges.

Which brands and products are included on the FSA register?

In June 2022, the FSA published its public list of CBD products linked to novel food applications. This includes all applications that have been validated but are awaiting further information, as well as those that have received full authorisation.

The products that have received full authorisation (as of August 1st 2022) are all synthetic or produced using CBD isolate. Full and broad-spectrum products on the list, which make up the majority, remain at the “awaiting evidence” stage. This means they can stay on sale while the FSA completes its toxicology review.

The following are our CBD edible suppliers, each with their FSA Novel Food application number and a link to the official FSA register for verification:

Future updates

We will continue to update this list as more information becomes available. If you have any questions about novel foods or the products we offer, don't hesitate to contact us.