CBD is a novel food
CBD extracts are novel foods in Great Britain. CBD food products, including supplements, should only be on sale in England and Wales if they are linked to a novel food application on the Food Standards Agency’s public list. Scotland has a similar approach through Food Standards Scotland. Check that your exact product is listed before printing labels, and that the label matches the product as listed.
The 10 mg daily advice
In October 2023 the FSA updated its advice: healthy adults should limit CBD from food to 10 mg a day, about 4–5 drops of a 5% oil. Make sure the recommended daily dose on your label is consistent with this advice and with your novel food application. Show the CBD amount per drop, capsule or gummy and per daily dose.
Vulnerable groups
The FSA doesn’t recommend CBD for children under 18, pregnant or breastfeeding women, people trying to conceive, or people taking medication, unless under medical direction. Including this advice on your label is good practice and widely expected by retailers.
The usual supplement statements still apply
A CBD food supplement needs everything a vitamin label needs: “food supplement”, daily dose, do-not-exceed warning, varied diet statement, young children statement, ingredients, allergens, net quantity, best before, batch and UK address. See the label checklist.
THC
THC is a controlled drug. The widely repeated “0.2% THC” figure relates to licensing hemp cultivation, not to finished products. Your supplier should provide a certificate of analysis for each batch showing cannabinoid content. Don’t print THC claims you can’t back up with batch results.
No authorised health claims
There are no authorised health claims for CBD. Words like “calming”, “sleep”, “anxiety” or “pain relief” on a label, listing or social post are unauthorised health claims, and some would make it a medicine. Describe the product factually.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland follows EU novel food rules, and the FSA’s GB public list doesn’t apply there. Selling CBD food products in NI needs separate advice. We’ll check CBD artwork in our compliance check; for novel food status, speak to a regulatory specialist.
Not legal advice. This guide covers the general rules for food supplements sold in Great Britain. Check your own product with a regulatory adviser, your local Trading Standards team or your Primary Authority partner.