United Kingdom officials say that CBD product sales could be shut down next year if they do not gain regulatory approval, the BBC reports. Currently, none of the CBD products being sold in the UK have been approved by the federal Food Standards Agency (FSA).
“The CBD industry must provide more information about the safety and contents of these products to the regulator by March 2021, or the products will be taken off the shelves.” — Emily Miles, Chief Executive of the FSA
The FSA said it had hoped CBD manufacturers would come forward with the appropriate product information but they were not submitting their products for approval fast enough, so regulators resorted to a deadline.
According to Steve Moore of the Association for the Cannabinoid Industry, however, CBD operators welcome the enforcement. “We believe that this will elicit the safety studies that are vital to build consumer confidence and help develop a socially responsible and sustainable industry,” Moore said.
CBD products available in the UK generally include oils, tinctures, and infused edible products. Third-party reports suggest that some products do not contain the listed amount of CBD, while others contain no CBD at all. Some may even contain harmful toxins like heavy metals or pesticides, as well as an illegal amount of THC.
Currently, the FSA warns consumers to “think carefully” before experimenting with CBD products and recommends that pregnant women avoid the cannabinoid altogether — the agency, however, notes that little research exists to verify these positions.
The FSA regulates food products and supplements in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, but not Scotland.
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