ACI announces ‘landmark’ safety study

The Association for the Cannabinoid Industry (ACI) has announced details of a study that will assess the safety of CBD ahead of the March 2021 novel foods deadline.

The ACI has teamed up with the Advanced Development and Safety Laboratory (ADSL) and a consortium of CBD companies who are ‘committed to building a sustainable, safe and fully compliant industry in the UK’.

The study will address existing gaps in data revealed by the Committee on Toxicology (COT), such as whether CBD can be toxic to the liver and what interaction it could have with other drugs.

It will also provide safety information which could be used to support novel foods applications.

ACI Head of Regulation and Compliance, Dr Parveen Bhatarah, said:

“To have a sustainable CBD industry in the UK we need to generate new toxicology data as per EFSA’s guidance and in line with the Government’s Committee on Toxicity requirements.

“This study which  includes a rodent study according to OECD 408 parameters will meet this demands support novel foods applicant needs in a cost efficient way that also minimises animal testing.”

The COT has been undertaking a review of the safety of CBD over the past year as the industry prepares for the March 31, 2021 novel food compliance deadline.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) requires CBD companies to demonstrate that their products are safe to consume in order to be legally marketed in the UK.

ADSL managing director, Mark Bowes-Cavanagh, said:

“ADSL will be supporting the ACI with all its technical services, including regulatory compliance, analytical studies, cannabinoid stability and collation of the risk dossier to meet the Food Standards Agency (FSA) guidelines on the Novel Food Application (NFA).

“The establishment of the consortium to meet the safety requirements, economical and ethical criteria is a significant step forward in cooperative development of ‘new’ consumer products.” 

The ACI is hosting a Safety Study Consortium Webinar on Friday September 25 at 4pm. Registration is free.