FSA opens consultation to authorise the UK’s first CBD food products

CBD products such as oils, capsules, gummies, confectionery and drinks are already being sold in the UK.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has launched a public consultation on proposals to authorise the UK’s first cannabidiol (CBD) food products, marking a significant step towards a regulated market.

CBD, a non-controlled cannabinoid extracted from the cannabis plant or produced synthetically, is sold across the UK in oils, capsules, gummies, confectionery and drinks.

The consultation, open until 20 November 2025, covers three applications that have successfully passed initial safety assessments. If approved by ministers in England and Wales, these products would become the first legally authorised CBD foods in Great Britain, subject to strict labelling requirements.

Thomas Vincent, from the FSA, said:

This is another step forward in the FSA’s work to bring CBD into compliance with the law. We encourage those with an interest in this area to respond to the consultation so that we can take account of a full range of views before putting our recommendations to Government ministers. 

With these recommendations, we are moving closer to a regulated market for CBD which will support growth in the industry while maintaining high safety standards. 

Authorisation of CBD food products will support the Government’s growth agenda by allowing businesses with approved products to reformulate and develop new brands and product lines. Currently, no CBD food products have legal authorisation in the UK.”

Agency’s recommendations

The agency’s draft recommendations propose mandatory warning labels on all authorised products, stating they are not suitable for people under 18, pregnant or breastfeeding women, those trying to conceive, and individuals taking medications or who are immunosuppressed.

Food Standards Scotland (FSS) plans to launch a parallel consultation for Scotland later this summer.

The consultation follows recent FSA guidance updates encouraging CBD businesses to adjust products on the Public List to meet safety standards. These include a provisional acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 10 mg CBD per day and a THC limit of 0.07 mg per day for a 70kg adult.

The FSA is seeking feedback from all stakeholders and interested parties during the 12-week consultation to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of the proposals before ministerial approval.