Notice on Residual CBD in Hemp-Based Foods: Focus on Seeds and Derivatives

Notice from the National Food Safety Agency on Cannabidiol (CBD) in Hemp-Based Food Products

The National Food Safety Agency has issued a notice regarding the residual content of Cannabidiol (CBD) in hemp-based food products, particularly focusing on seeds and their derived products. This document provides a comprehensive assessment of the CBD content in hemp-based foodstuffs that have a history of consumption, with a specific emphasis on hemp seeds and related products.

Regulatory Context

• CBD is regulated under EU Regulation 2015/2283 concerning novel foods and is currently under review at the community level.
• Foods containing CBD are prohibited unless there is evidence of their consumption in Europe before May 1997.
• Hemp seeds, derived products, and aqueous infusions of hemp leaves are not classified as novel foods and can be marketed as foodstuffs, although they may contain residual traces of CBD.

Objective of the ANSES Request

• The French Directorate General for Food (DGAL) requested the National Agency for Food, Environmental, and Occupational Health Safety (ANSES) to determine whether hemp seeds naturally contain CBD or to establish the natural CBD content in these seeds.
• ANSES was also asked to specify the potential residual content of CBD in seeds and derived foodstuffs, particularly oils, taking into account various processing methods.

Findings on CBD in Hemp Seeds and Derived Products

• Hemp seeds (achene) do not produce or store cannabinoids.
• However, the seed pods can accumulate cannabinoids from the trichomes of the surrounding bracts, leading to the presence of residual CBD in seeds and derived products such as oil and flour.

CBD Content in Food Products

• Studies have measured CBD content in various food products, including hemp seeds, flour, and oil.
• The highest CBD content found in the literature, excluding one outlier, is 83 ppm.
• ANSES recommends a uniform threshold of 100 ppm of CBD (mg/kg) for seeds and derived products (oils, flours), equivalent to 0.01% CBD (m/m).

Methodology

• The assessment involved a bibliographic review, analysis of publications, and expert consultations.
• The review included searches in databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar using specific search terms related to cannabinoids and hemp seeds.

Analytical Methods

• Two analytical methods commonly cited in the literature are Gas Chromatography (GC) and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).
  • GC induces decarboxylation of cannabinoids.
  • HPLC does not induce decarboxylation unless a heating step is applied before analysis.

CBD Solubility and Detection

• CBD is insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents.
• Publications from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) on CBD were reviewed as part of the assessment.

Distribution of CBD Contents

The distribution of CBD contents in seeds and oils was presented in the sources, with detailed values and ranges provided for various studies and market samples.

Source: https://www.anses.fr/fr/system/files/NUT2024SA0040.pdf##~https://www.anses.fr/fr/derniers-documents-mis-en-ligne

Region: France