NEWS IN BRIEF

EFSA submission suggests CBD position statement imminent

07-Jan-2022 - Last updated on 06-Jan-2022 at 20:38 GMT

The European Food and Safety Authority (EFSA) is expected to outline its position on the safety of cannabidiol (CBD) as a novel food in a move expected to aid in future novel food applications.

In a submission to EFSA’s register of questions, the Authority submitted a self-mandate for a statement concerning the ingredient that according to the entry would be forthcoming around January 31, 2022.

“We expect that the statement will clarify the expectations on novel food applications for CBD and CBD extracts and help applicants design CBD products that are suitable for use as or in food,” comments analyze & realize, a CRO and consulting firm specialising in the development of natural healthcare and food products.

Not formal evaluation

The Germany-based firm believes the move is not a formal evaluation of individual novel food applications for CBD and CBD extracts.

At the current time, there are five applications for synthetic CBD that have passed the validation of the application dossiers and are being assessed by EFSA.

In December 2020, the European Commission announced that it had reconsidered its position after the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled that CBD was not a narcotic drug as it “does not appear to have any psychotropic effect or any harmful effect on human health”.

Commission Spokesman, Stefan De Keersmaecker, stated, “this means that CBD can indeed be qualified as food” and the “authorisation process for cannabidiol as a novel food ingredient can now resume”