CBD Gains Novel Food Approval In The UK, Setting New Global Standard In The Industry

The European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA) announced a new global standard for CBD regulation. The Association revealed on Tuesday that its natural isolate CBD NFA (RP427) has met the necessary safety standards under the proposed conditions of use as determined by the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP).

What happened: The UK FSA has completed a positive risk assessment for EIHA's novel food application for natural CBD isolate.

"This groundbreaking achievement sets a new global standard for CBD regulation, ensuring safety and fostering innovation in the industry," EIHA wrote in a LinkedIn post. "The next phase involves Risk Management, after which the approval will be forwarded to the minister for final authorization. Our rigorous studies and a 5-year intellectual property protection offer a significant competitive edge to all partners in our Consortium."

Why it matters: The FSA's positive assessment confirms the effectiveness and safety of EIHA’s natural CBD isolate, which will open the door for CBD products to be used more widely within the legal framework, writes CannabizEu.

This milestone also marks "the FSA as the pioneering regulatory body to classify CBD products as approved NF [novel food], setting a precedent not yet seen by counterparts such as the EFSA [the European Food Safety Authority] in Europe or the FDA [the Food and Drug Administration] in the USA,” writes EIHA.

Six years ago Donald Trump signed the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Farm Act 2018), which effectively legalized hemp and hemp-derived products on the federal level. Unfortunately, this caused many uncertainties and loopholes.  What's more hemp-derived products were not regulated as food nor as supplements.

Read Also: How Hemp Became America’s Loophole For Legal Highs

In January 2023, the FDA confirmed it would not regulate CBD (Cannabidiol, another phytocannabinoid found in both hemp and marijuana) as a food and dietary supplement ingredient. Some four months later it presented a potential framework, but reaffirmed that the decision rests with the US Congress.

In the UK, the FSA has set up a clear regulatory framework allowing EIHA Consortium members to operate knowing its products meet strict safety and quality standards. This legal certainty is expected to boost investment and innovation in the CBD sector.

EIHA used this milestone to invite interested parties to join its new food consortium. Members can benefit from EIHA's extensive research and regulatory knowledge.

Now what? The approval is to be sent to the minister for final authorization as the procedure proceeds to the Risk Management stage.

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Photo: Courtesy of Anan Kaewkhammul via Shutterstock