Applies to England, Northern Ireland and Wales
This consultation seeks stakeholders’ views, comments and feedback in relation to regulated product applications considered in this document. Launch date: 28 August 2025 Respond by: 20 November 2025
Consultation pack 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 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 Food Standards Agency (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.
Launch date: 28 August 2025
Respond by: 20 November 2025
This consultation will be of most interest to
All England, Wales, and Northern Ireland food businesses, local and port health authorities, and other stakeholders with an interest in food safety.
- Producers and suppliers of CBD, novel foods, importers, distributors and wholesalers and retailers
- Food Industry Trade Associations covering novel foods and CBD
- Consumers and the public
- Campaign groups with an interest in CBD and CBD food products
- Organisations representing consumer interests in the food
- Enforcement authorities across the United Kingdom (UK), including local authorities, Port Health Authorities and district councils
Consultation subject and purpose
This consultation seeks stakeholders’ feedback on the regulated product applications considered in this document. These applications have been submitted for a new authorisation (3 novel foods).
A parallel consultation is being published by FSS to inform ministers in Scotland before they make a decision.
A summary of the risk management recommendations, safety assessment and proposed terms of authorisation can be found below.
England, Northern Ireland and Wales
How to respond
Responses to this consultation should be submitted via the online survey . If this is not possible, you can email a response to:
Email: RPconsultations@food.gov.uk
Full details on how to respond are given below.
Details of consultation
What are novel foods and how are they authorised?
Novel foods are any food that was not used for human consumption to a significant degree within the UK or the EU before 15 May 1997. This means that the foods do not have a ‘history of consumption’. Examples of novel foods include:
- new foods, for example, phytosterols and phytostanols used in cholesterol reducing spreads
- traditional foods eaten elsewhere in the world, for example, chia seeds, baobab
- foods produced from new processes, for example, bread treated with ultraviolet light to increase the level of vitamin D present
Novel foods need to be authorised by ministers in England, Wales and Scotland before they can be placed on the market in GB. The placing of novel foods on the market in GB must be in accordance with the [assimilated Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 .
What is CBD?
CBD is one of many chemicals called cannabinoids. It is found within hemp and cannabis plants and can be produced synthetically.
CBD extracts can be derived from most parts of hemp or cannabis plants. They can be selectively extracted, which can concentrate CBD. Some processes can alter other chemical components.
CBD products are being sold as foods, often as food supplements, in the UK. They are widely available in shops, cafés and online.
CBD sold as food, or as a food supplement, includes:
- oils
- drops, tinctures and sprays
- gel capsules
- sweets and confectionery
- bread and other bakery products
- drinks
On 15 January 2019 (and prior to the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union), the European Commission included CBD in the novel foods catalogue, confirming its status as a novel food. As novel foods CBD food products are subject to the regulatory requirements of the Novel Food Regulation , a pre-market authorisation in accordance with that regulation is required before placing on the market.
CBD food products, as novel foods, must be authorised before they are put on the market. This is to ensure they are safe.
