Europe No Longer Considers Hemp Leaves as a Novel Food

The European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA) has won a significant victory with Cannabis leaves to no longer be classified as a Novel Food product in the European Union. The main impact of this decision is on the hemp-infused tea market, which will promote economic opportunities for farmers and operators. EIHA is awaiting clarification on THC content in hemp seeds from the European Commission.

Three years after the beginning of its fight to have Cannabis leaves considered as a traditional food, the European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA) has just achieved a major victory.

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EU Commission Says Hemp Is No Longer “Novel Food”

The European Commission has confirmed that it no longer considers Cannabis plant leaves as a Novel Food, which is a European food classification system aimed at distinguishing new foods that were not commonly consumed before 1997.

The entry in the catalog of Novel Foods for Cannabis Sativa L. has been updated to include the following: “A history of consumption in the EU has also been demonstrated for the infusion of hemp leaves (when not accompanied by flowering and fruiting tops) consumed as such or in the form of infusions. This/these use(s) is/are therefore not new.”

A Victory for the European Hemp Food Market

This is a welcome U-turn that could boost the European hemp food market and comes more than four years after the controversial classification by the European Commission, which decided to classify all parts of the plant as “novelty.”

Furthermore, the EIHA has requested that natural products based on hemp extracts for human consumption be classified as traditional foods under Article 4 of the European Commission’s regulations on Novel Foods.

Companies wishing to submit applications for products based on synthetic CBD and isolates, as well as broad or full-spectrum extracts, currently need to go through the Novel Food procedure, as flowers and enriched or isolated cannabinoids are still considered Novel Foods.

Cannabis-Infused Tea

The main impact of the decision regarding Cannabis leaves will affect individuals involved in hemp-infused tea and related products.

The president of EIHA, Daniel Kruse, stated, “This is a major breakthrough for our sector, which clearly demonstrates that a collective industry effort is a key to normalizing the hemp plant and its products.”

“For many years, EIHA has been in discussions with European institutions and member states regarding legislation on Novel Foods. We are pleased that science and historical facts have prevailed over prejudice.”

In a press release, EIHA continues, “Hemp leaves were traditionally consumed as food, particularly in the form of aqueous infusions, before 1997.”

It further states that the change in status is also in line with the Single Convention of 1961, where hemp leaves are explicitly exempted.

Additionally, it adds, “In addition to this significant regulatory development, a number of other seed-derived products will also be explicitly excluded from the application of the Novel Food regulation, clarifying and strengthening their legal status in the EU market.”

Despite Food Classification Victory, Gray Area Remains Around THC Content of Seeds

While EIHA is naturally delighted with the progress made so far, they are still awaiting feedback from the European Commission regarding the position on THC content in hemp seeds.

Ms. Romanese added, “We sincerely hope that this spirit of positive and constructive engagement will result in the urgent need for written clarification on the uncertainty of THC measures in seed products.”

“Currently, operators in many EU countries are suffering from misleading interpretations, seizures, and unnecessary administrative requirements,” such as in Belgium.

“These new changes will eliminate any remaining doubts regarding the legality of seed-derived products and will open up the market for infusions and tea made from hemp leaves, thus ensuring additional economic income for farmers and commercial operators.”

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(Featured illustration by Nataliya Vaitkevich via Pexels)

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