The European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA) has called on the European Commission to develop harmonized guidelines for THC in hemp food products, releasing a detailed position paper in which it makes a wide range of recommendations.“Harmonized legislation should be applied in all member states . . . (to) guarantee consumer safety and the further expansion of the hemp food industry, attract direct and indirect investments and create new jobs,” the EIHA said in a press notice this week as it released the paper, titled “Reasonable guidance values for THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) in food products.”
Strictly science
The document presents in-depth background information on all issues around THC in food, “strictly based on scientific evidence,” EIHA noted, with rules that fall in line with those in Canada, USA, Switzerland, Australia and New Zealand.
Investment and growth for the fast-expanding hemp foods sector in Europe are hindered by the current patchwork of national regulations, the group said. New THC guidance values would protect consumers and lead to stability for the market, EIHA said.
€40 million market
“The hemp food sector has grown with considerable speed over the last several years and has reached a volume of €40 million in Europe and a global volume of €200 million,” according to EIHA. “Reasonable regulations, especially harmonized THC guidance values, are crucial for the further development of the domestic hemp food industry.”
The Association specifically called on the EC to create a working group in the Directorate General for Health and Food Safety to address the harmonization issue.
The position paper deals only with food from hemp seeds and leaves. EIHA addressed hemp extracts and CBD products in a paper issued earlier this year.
VIEW/DOWNLOAD THE EIHA POSITION PAPER ON THC:
