EIHA consortium’s CBD products to remain on UK shelves following FSA approval

24 Mar 2021 --- Members of the EIHA Novel Food Consortium – which includes Europe’s largest independent hemp grower and processor, HempFlax – have received confirmation from the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) that their CBD products may remain on UK shelves. 

After March 31, only products for which the FSA has received an application and subsequently validated will be allowed to remain on the UK market.

Official validation will be granted following the results of toxicological studies on both cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), through the consortium’s “biggest body of research,” expected later this year.

“The clarification on CBD is certainly helping hemp food operators, regulators and control bodies to work cohesively to achieve the legal certainty that the hemp sector in Europe needs to thrive,” Victoria Fernández, communications and advocacy officer of EIHA, tells NutritionInsight.

“If the regulatory landscape for hemp in Europe is clarified, the EU industrial hemp sector has a bright future ahead because the benefits derived from the upper part of the plant will be invested in the lower part.”

Click to EnlargeThrough research, EIHA aims to reduce THC’s uncertainty factor to levels similar to that of controlled substances such as alcohol. 

The FSA’s recent approval applies to regular/full-spectrum and natural isolate CBD products produced by the consortium’s members.

In general, Fernández concedes that the European market currently is a “grey area,” meaning that there is no clarity about if and how CBD products should be marketed.

“There is no harmonization at EU level, which is what we are asking for,” she remarks. “Slovakia for instance could be considered quite open as cannabidiol has been officially removed from Schedule II of psychotropic substances recently.”

In total, EIHA acts on behalf of more than 250 members that represent the entire industrial hemp production chain, from “seed to shelf.” The consortium is formed by 143 companies (both big companies and SMEs) operating in the European market.

The organization’s overall network encompasses operators from 25 EU Member States and 12 non-EU countries, including members in North America and the Asia Pacific.

Consortium to commence human THC research
EIHA’s THC human study, which will be carried out by ChemSafe in GLP laboratories, is set to begin this summer.

The outcome of the clinical study for THC will enable the FSA to determine and establish safe consumption levels of naturally occurring traces of THC in hemp foods and supplements.

This study is the biggest body of research the consortium has undertaken, costing €1.6 million (US$1.9 million). The aim is to reduce THC’s uncertainty factor to levels similar to that of substances such as alcohol, nicotine and codeine.

“This is an excellent achievement for EIHA and a huge relief to hemp-derived CBD manufacturers such as HempFlax, whose products are enjoyed by a large amount of UK consumers,” comments Mark Reinders, CEO of HempFlax.

“Safety must always come first, and it is reassuring to see EIHA’s efforts in this area recognized by the UK’s food safety body.”

Hemp itself notably absorbs 22 tons of CO2 per hectare when growing, thrives in virtually any climate and requires a fraction of the water other cash crops such as cotton need to grow.

Click to EnlargeSource: Innova Market InsightsCBD regulatory climate
CBD’s demand boom has inspired new and unique formats for the botanical ingredient, including “Hemp Bombs” with immunity and sleep positionings, and non-alcoholic CBD-infused beverages.

As European consumers acclimate to the novel product, regulatory bodies have hastened to ensure safety protocols. Last October, a favorable vote welcomed by the EIHA brought European Parliament one step closer to increasing the THC level legal in hemp plants on the field from 0.2 percent to 0.3 percent.

Regulation around hemp and hemp-related ingredients has a long and complex history. In July, the European Commission froze all applications of hemp extracts and natural cannabinoids under Novel Food regulation, considering them to be drugs.

However, last November the European Court of Justice ruled in favor of the sector and the European Commission changed its statement by confirming that CBD could be classified as food.

“Now, the biggest challenge is to make sure that we obtain the novel foods NF validation for naturally-derived CBD in order to allow our operators to safely market their products,” says Fernández.

“It is a truly green industry that governments across Europe should be embracing as we seek to build more sustainable industrial practices,” remarks Reinders.

“Regulatory accomplishments such as today’s are exactly what the European hemp industry needs as its products break further into the mainstream.” 

By Benjamin Ferrer

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