Consultation on applications for authorisation of 3 CBD food products as novel foods

This consultation seeks stakeholders’ views, comments and feedback in relation to 3 regulated product applications.

The applications are for authorisation of “synthetic cannabidiol (CBD)”, “cannabidiol (CBD) isolate” and “isolated cannabidiol (CBD) derived from hemp (Cannabis sativa)” as novel foods. The FSA will consider stakeholder responses before preparing final advice to ministers in England and Wales, with the Minister for Health in Northern Ireland kept informed. The determination on authorisation sits with ministers; the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has prepared draft recommendations for each application, which are included in the consultation. The draft recommendations are to authorise the 3 novel foods, subject to meeting the terms of authorisation that are set out in the consultation.

As these are the first applications for authorisation of CBD food products as novel foods to be subject to public consultation, the consultation also sets out a proposed approach to broader policy issues that will be relevant to future applications for CBD products, including enforcement issues and the protection of vulnerable groups. 

The overall aim of the FSA in developing these proposals has been to ensure a high level of consumer health protection, and to consider the wider consumer interest. Whilst the FSA is developing the policy and advice on these issues, ministers in England, Wales, and Scotland (advised by Food Standards Scotland (FSS)) are ultimately responsible for taking the decisions to authorise CBD food products as novel foods. This consultation and corresponding responses from stakeholders are intended to support the development of the FSA’s advice to ministers. The content of this consultation pack is not an indication of any UK minister’s views. Final advice to ministers in England, Scotland and Wales will be informed by the outcome of this consultation.