The discussion about CBD continues, as EFSA is currently drafting a statement on the safety of cannabidiol (CBD) as a novel food, according to the EFSA register of question. This statement is issued on EFSA’s own initiative and is not associated with evaluations of individual novel food applications for CBD and CBD extracts. Details have not yet been disclosed, but 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. Currently, 5 applications for synthetic CBD passed the validation of the application dossiers and are being evaluated by EFSA, whereas the EFSA Register of Questions lists 12 more recent applications that are not yet validated.

Stay tuned – the risk assessment deadline for the EFSA statement is already in a month from now, on January 31, 2022.