Should hemp-based food be legal?

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.