What Is Novel Food?
Novel Food is defined as food that had not been consumed to a significant degree by humans in the EU before 15 May 1997, when the first Regulation on novel food came into force.
‘Novel Food’ can be newly developed, innovative food, food produced using new technologies and production processes, as well as food which is or has been traditionally eaten outside of the EU.
The underlying principles underpinning Novel Food in the European Union are that Novel Foods must be:
- Safe for consumers
- Properly labelled, so as not to mislead consumers
- If novel food is intended to replace another food, it must not differ in a way that the consumption of the Novel Food would be nutritionally disadvantageous for the consumer.
Pre-market authorisation of Novel Foods on the basis of an evaluation in line with the above principles is necessary.
Is CBD, Hemp Or Cannabis A Novel Food?
Extracted CBD is considered a Novel Food by the FSA and other European regulators because the methods used to extract it cannot be proven before 1997 when the Novel Food act was created. Using an isolated CBD compound as an ingredient is novel, methods such as CO2 extraction and other chemical based methods are not approved and are novel therefore are not considered safe to consume.
Hemp which has naturally occurring levels of CBD or has been prepared it its natural form is not considered a Novel Food and is exempt.
Body And Mind Botanicals Novel Food Status
Our products have been signed off as exempt by the FSA because we do not use CBD as an ingredient, we use Hemp in its natural form. This means you can be assured our products are safe, approved and we continue to adhere to food regulations.