Should hemp-based food be legal?

Food Standards Australia New Zealand

Thursday, 28 July, 2016

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has called for submissions on whether to permit the sale of food derived from the seeds of low-THC hemp.

FSANZ Chief Executive Officer Steve McCutcheon said the proposal was prepared following a request from the Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation, which has asked FSANZ to consider a number of matters, including the need to set a cannabidiol limit and policy advice on restricting the marketing and advertising of low-THC hemp as a food.

“Based on previous work done in assessing applications for permitting the sale of food derived from low-THC hemp, FSANZ considers low-THC hemp seed foods to be safe for human consumption. Moreover, they may provide a useful alternative dietary source of nutrients and polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly omega-3 fatty acids,” he said.

Comments are invited from government agencies, public health professionals, industry and the community. The closing date for submissions is 25 August 2016.

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