Foods containing hemp have experienced a renaissance in recent years. While products from the hemp plant Cannabis sativa L. such as hemp seeds or cooking oil obtained from them have been used as food for a long time, consumption of cannabidiol (CBD) and other cannabinoids in significant quantities before May 15, 1997 has not yet been proven. Both CBD obtained from the hemp plant and synthetically produced CBD as well as foods that contain these as an ingredient are therefore considered novel under current EU law (Novel Food Regulation, VO (EU) 2015/2283) .
However, before novel foods can be placed on the market, they go through an authorization procedure in which human safety must be proven. Applications for approval have already been submitted for CBD, but no approval has yet been given. With the judgment of November 19, 2020 (file number C-663/18), the European Court of Justice confirmed that CBD is not a narcotic. From this point of view, nothing stands in the way of approval as a food.
In a recent test, various products containing CBD were examined, including CBD oils and capsules as well as aromatic oils. All CBD products for ingestion were classified as unsafe due to the incomplete scientific data. In addition to inadmissible health-related claims, increased levels of d9 tetrahydrocannabidiol (d9-THC), the psychoactive ingredient of the hemp plant, were also detected.
There are currently no maximum levels for d9-THC in food in the EU or Germany. The guideline values of the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) from the year 2000 or the acute reference dose (ARfD) of 1 µg per kilogram of body weight per day recommended by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) are therefore used to evaluate products on the market in Germany used. To evaluate the ARfD value, statistical daily consumption amounts, for example from the National Consumption Study II of the Max Rubner Institute, or individual consumption recommendations are used.
In order to control the safety and quality of your hemp-containing products, we carry out the analysis of d9-THC and CBD as well as other product-relevant analyzes. We would be happy to make you an individual offer.
If you have any questions or special requirements regarding the scope of the examination
we are happy to advise you.
Email: info (at) qsi-q3.de
Phone: +49 (0) 421-596607-0
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Source: Stiftung Warentest
