As of April 1st 2021, the Food Standards Agency (FSA), novel food regulations for food supplements containing cannabidiol (CBD) took effect in the UK. These new rules affect what products can and cannot be sold.
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.
At its most basic it means that manufacturers/brands have to present evidence to show that their product is safe, consistent, legal and contains what it says on the label.
Applicants have to submit toxicology reports, their manufacturing processes, safety information and ingredients to the FSA. The FSA will carry out an initial assessment to decide if the product can still be sold and then a more detailed evaluation to come up with a final decision.
Products not included on the FSA list are no longer legal to be sold in the UK. This can be good news for the consumer, as finally there will be a framework to ensure only the safest products are available.
Unfortunately, some smaller producers could not afford the vast expense that comes with making an application and will eventually disappear from the UK market.
Also, it is expected that regulations around the amount of THC (1mg per bottle) will now be more strictly enforced. This has seen some brands create broad-spectrum and isolate-based products (both THC free) to replace their full-spectrum ranges.
As of April 1st, 2021, any CBD product that is sold as and used as a food supplement (oils, gummies, capsules and pastes but not skincare/ beauty products) in the UK must have a pending application with the FSA.
No, from this date products with a pending application can only be sold until the full authorisation is received. If the product doesn’t receive authorisation, it must be removed from stores. It is expected that an application could take up to 9 months.
June 2022 saw the launch of the FSA list of products linked to novel food applications. This includes all applications that have been validated but are awaiting further information and 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, are all at the “awaiting evidence” stage of the process. This means that whilst they can remain on sale, a full decision won’t be made until toxicology reports proving their safety have been completed.
Of the brands we stock at for the Ageless, the following are included on the FSA list:
The BioBloom organic CBD oils are currently at the “awaiting evidence” stage of the process and are included on the FSA list. The oils included are:
The CannabiGold CBD oils and capsules are currently at the “awaiting evidence” stage of the process and are included on the FSA list. The products included are:
The CBD Brothers oils are currently at the “awaiting evidence” stage of the process and are included on the FSA list. The oils included are:
The CBDfx gummies are currently at the “awaiting evidence” stage of the process and are included on the FSA list. The gummies included are:
The Cibdol capsules are currently at the “awaiting evidence” stage of the process and are included on the FSA list. The capsules included are:
The Love CBD oils, sprays and capsules are currently at the “awaiting evidence” stage of the process and are included on the FSA list. The products included are:
The Love Hemp CBD oils, sprays, capsules and gummies are currently at the “awaiting evidence” stage of the process and are included on the FSA list. The products included are:
The PharmaHemp products are currently at the “awaiting evidence” stage of the process and are included on the FSA list. The products included are:
Please note that we will update this list as more information is available. If you have any questions about novel foods or the products we sell, please contact us on the chat function found in the bottom right corner, give us a call, or send an email to contact@fortheageless.com.
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