CBD in the Food Industry

Although the use of hemp in food was most rapidly adopted by the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industry, this food trend presents great opportunities.

However, the main challenge is the lack of information from reliable sources, as well as the association of the word with hemp.

However, the possibility of increasing sales in the hemp market is attracting more consumers; currently, only one-third of CBD users have tried food and beverages (F&B) with this added ingredient.

This has led to F&B categories being suited to generate excitement and maintain attention through exploration, so brands have multiple options when it comes to deciding on the most suitable products for CBD introduction.

Health appears to be a more important factor than recreation in the use of this ingredient, suggesting that health-focused categories will be better suited to satisfy the motivations that will increase its use.

The hemp market in the food industry

The CBD market in food and beverage presents a strong interest in indulgence, especially in foods such as sweet snacks and chocolate-flavored products.

Brands focused on recreational users could find their niche in the confectionery offer. However, quality and consistency remain areas that need attention among hemp-focused brands.

This lack of consistency in quality caused the sector to not be taken seriously until all players maintain a safe standard in the industry, just like any other health-oriented product.

Because of this, the FDA has not legally recognized or regulated CBD, claiming they need more information to prove its safety.

Are there benefits to hemp-infused products?

According to healthline.com, hemp-infused foods, also known as edibles, have several benefits, as they are commonly used to treat lack of appetite, pain, and weight loss in people with cancer.

• Such edibles can also reduce pain and muscle spasms, relieve nausea and vomiting, improve sleep quality, and improve anxiety. Ingesting it in edibles is healthier than smoking it because smoking involves inhaling hot smoke and carcinogens that can be harmful to respiratory health.
• Hemp edibles contain many antioxidants that protect the body from stress and other damage caused by things like blood vessel disease and cancer.
• According to highsnobiety.com, they can help control diabetes symptoms, control weight levels, digestive response, inflammation, chronic pain, neurological pain, overall pain, cancer-related symptoms, and anti-tumor properties.

It is important to note that raw hemp does not have the same effect as consuming hemp-based products because it has to go through a process known as decarboxylation to become active.

Raw hemp contains tetrahydrocannabinol acid (THCA) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), compounds that must be exposed to heat, such as smoking or baking, to become the active forms of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).

What do the laws say about this plant?

There are differences in the regulation of “new” edibles in different countries around the world because some have not conducted a thorough assessment of their safety for consumption from the site in this link.

In January 2020, the European Food Safety Authority, (EFSA), conducted a scientific assessment that analyzed the exposure to THC through the consumption of foods containing CBD.

The health regulator said it would work with Congress to develop a new interagency regulatory framework. The FDA denied three citizen petitions asking the agency to provide guidance.