The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has established a safe upper limit for delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) consumed in hemp-derived novel foods of 0.07 milligrams (mg) per day. This corresponds with the provisional acceptable daily intake (ADI) for cannabidiol (CBD) of 10 mg/day, which was established by FSA in 2023.

Although THC is an illegal controlled substance in the UK, it is also accepted as an unavoidable contaminant in hemp-derived CBD products.

The THC safe upper limit was recommended in a joint paper authored by FSA’s Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes and Committee on Toxicity. The safe upper limit of 0.07 mg/day for THC is equivalent to an intake of one microgram (µg) per kilogram (kg) of bodyweight per day in an adult weighing 70 kg.

In light of the new THC threshold, FSA has updated its CBD guidance for industry to encourage businesses to reformulate CBD foods and beverages in a way that improves consumer safety.

Specifically, CBD businesses with products on FSA’s Public List of CBD Products Linked to Novel Food Applications are being encouraged to reformulate products to improve consumer safety. These are products that are currently on sale in England and Wales and are not new to the market. Businesses with products on the list do not need to contact FSA if reformulation does not affect product details on the list. If reformulation requires product detail amendments, businesses must provide their application number, necessary updates, and confirmation that changes are safety-related.

FSA continues to advise all CBD businesses to review product labeling to ensure it displays the recommended CBD ADI and includes key safety information, such as age restrictions and warnings for those who are pregnant or taking medications.