Holland & Barrett, the leading health and wellness retailer in the UK, has taken action in response to new guidance from the Food Standards Agency (FSA). The FSA announced that adults should limit their daily intake of CBD to 10mg instead of the previous limit of 70mg. As a result, Holland & Barrett has temporarily removed 31 CBD products from its shelves. The company stated that it is acting with caution to ensure its customers receive the latest guidance on safe usage of these products. Holland & Barrett is committed to collaborating with the FSA and the wider industry to share safety data and contribute to the ongoing discussion on this topic.
The FSA’s new recommendation is based on evidence obtained from novel foods application dossiers and updated advice from its independent scientific committees. The FSA does not provide specific instructions for brands and retailers to follow but advises consumers to check product labels and consider their daily intake in light of the updated guidance. The FSA encourages consumers to monitor their CBD consumption and decide if any adjustments are necessary.
CBD experts from The Canna Consultant (TCC) have urgently called upon the FSA to provide a published policy that would allow products on the novel foods Public list to remain listed while producing compliant single-consumption units with a 10mg dosage. TCC believes that the FSA’s new guidance could have a detrimental impact on the entire UK CBD industry. TCC acknowledges that the FSA is acting upon the provided data but expresses concern about the potential consequences. The industry should anticipate that the recommended daily CBD limit will remain applicable for years to come.
TCC highlights the confusion created by the FSA’s non-binding advice. The lack of clarity may lead to consumer confusion, decreased investor confidence, revenue losses, employee layoffs, increased unemployment, and reduced tax contributions. TCC argues that companies that have invested in regulatory compliance could find themselves non-compliant due to contradictory advice. Ultimately, restrictions on product availability may prevent consumers from accessing products deemed safe by the FSA. TCC welcomes the participation of interested parties in their ongoing correspondence with the FSA.
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