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Retailers safe to stock existing CBD products for at least one year, says FSA Retailers currently stocking CBD food products can relax for now after the Food Standards Agency (FSA) issued new guidelines for producers. The watchdog has set a deadline of 31st March 2021 for CBD food producers to provide more information about their products and said that businesses can continue selling existing lines until the cut-off.
As previously reported in FFD, almost all CBD foods were not vetted as safe for consumption and retailers stocking the ‘novel food’ were running the risk of having the lines confiscated. However, a spokesperson for the FSA said: “Businesses should be able to sell CBD products during the interim, provided they are not incorrectly labelled, are not unsafe to eat and do not contain controlled substances.”
CBD: the facts
cannabinoids. It is found within hemp and cannabis.
By Tom Dale
Novel foods are foods not widely consumed by people in the EU before May 1997.
Before the food can be legally marketed in the EU, novel foods are required to have a safety assessment under EU regulations. The novel food status of CBD extracts was confirmed in January 2019. CBD is one of a group of chemicals called
CBD extracts can be derived from hemp or cannabis plants. They are selectively extracted, concentrating CBD and removing or reducing other chemicals. Hemp and related products, such as coldpressed oils, are not novel because there is evidence to show a history of consumption before May 1997. This is not the case for CBD extracts.
Indies are second largest growth area for organic Independent retailers are the second largest growth area for organic food, according to new research by the Soil Association. The organisation’s Organic Market Report 2020 revealed sales of organic produce grew by 6.5% in 2019 in small food stores, the largest growth in bricks-and-mortar retailers, with the figure for supermarkets at 2.5%. Among independent retailers, 90% of those surveyed for the report saw an increase in organic food sales. Consumers are now spending £2.5m a month on organic food and drink nationwide, hitting a record figure of £2.45bn in 2019 as the rise of the ‘conscious consumer’ continues. Online saw the strongest increase in sales 6
March 2020 | Vol.21 Issue 2
of organic, 11.2%, a figure which includes veg box delivery schemes. Organic wine has seen a huge rise in demand with sales growing by 47% and organic poultry and eggs also saw 12% growth despite the rise of veganism, the report revealed. A Soil Association spokesperson said: “With the climate crisis and British farming dominating the headlines, organic is more relevant than ever as a way for shoppers looking to reduce their environmental impact.” “2019 was an-other exciting year for organic and 2020 will be a tipping point where organic becomes the go-to choice for shoppers who want to have a sustainable shopping basket.”
The government agency has also advised expectant and new mothers, and people taking medication not to consume the currently unauthorised extracts, and that healthy adults do not consume more than 70mg of CBD a day – equivalent to 28 drops of 5% extract. The watchdog’s spokesperson added: “We are continuing to review the safety information and if we find evidence that any CBD products pose a significant safety risk, we will use our powers to remove them from shelves.” Despite the fact that Brexit is underway, the FSA has told producers of CBD foodstuffs that they must
submit valid novel food authorisation applications to the European Food Safety Authority, or face being removed from the market. The FSA has said that during the transition period the responsibility for processing novel food applications still lies with Europe. However, it has strongly recommended that businesses also submit applications to them, as following Brexit’s completion the authority will return to the agency. Emily Miles, chief executive of the FSA, added: “The actions that we’re taking are a pragmatic and proportionate step in balancing the protection of public health with consumer choice. It’s now up to industry to supply this information so that the public can be reassured that CBD is safe.” • The FSA has provided guidelines on what needs to be included in an application on their website – food.gov.uk/businessguidance/cannabidiol-cbd
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Allergen contamination leads to pesto shortage Supermarket pesto stocks have been annihilated over the past month after it was discovered a swathe of Sacla’ products and supermarket own brand pestos may contain peanuts. Jars of Sacla’, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and Aldi pesto have been pulled from the shelves after it was discovered that cashew nuts from an external supplier could have been contaminated with traces of peanuts. A nationwide pesto shortage has followed, with some supermarkets hiking the price of their remaining lines in response to the supply crisis. The FSA issued a series of allergy alerts, warning consumers about the possible health risk for
anyone with an allergy to peanuts. As reported elsewhere, Sacla’ UK’s managing director Clare Blampied said: “The health, safety and welfare of customers is our number one priority. “We took immediate action to recall every batch
of every Sacla’ pesto when we were made aware that some cashew nuts, which had been delivered by an external supplier, might contain traces of peanuts.” A total of 35 varieties of the popular table sauce were recalled over the allergen fears.