Moyra Cosgrove, BSc Hons Nutrition, MSc Sport Nutrition
The Novel Food Applicaton
Naturecan are deeply and positively immersed in compiling the Novel Food Licence Dossier for submission within the timeframe set out by the FSA. Such is our strong belief in Naturecan’s Broad-Spectrum CBD Distillate, with non-detectable levels of THC (the controlled, illegal cannabinoid), and our absolute commitment to safety and quality testing for our customer, that we firmly believe in the benefits of this process.
Proud to be a Member of the ACI
Naturecan is proud to be a member of the ACI (https://www.theaci.co.uk) – the CBD Industry Trade Body committed to nurturing a safe, legal and well-regulated CBD market in the UK. Our Founders, Paul Finnegan and Andy Duckworth, as well as our Head of Nutrition, Moyra Cosgrove, are working in close collaboration with the ACI’s Director of Regulatory and Compliance, Dr Parveen Bhatarah and her team.
Who is involved in the process?
The license application dossier is a robust, complex and highly technical document that requires scientific evidence-based data.
- Moyra has previous experience in both the Nutritional Supplement sector and the Pharmaceutical industry, also holding BSc Hons and MSc in Nutrition.
- Parveen has a wealth of experience in regulatory affairs, in CBD and in research, so is an invaluable guide through this lengthy and very costly process.
- Andy was CEO of Myprotein for 5 years previous to founding Naturecan, and so has experience with the team of building a global leader and of driving supply chain excellence, with an emphasis of transparency and testing.
- Paul has invested more than 18 months in the USA over the past 4 years to select the highest-quality, lowest THC oil available from Oregon.
UK Food Standards Agency Novel Food Application
What does this application consist of?
The UK Food Standards Agency Novel Food Application dossier requires Naturecan CBD Distillate to undergo toxicology testing, very similar to that of a pharmaceutical product, as the first measure of safety of usage.
A further set of studies called ADME must be undertaken to assess absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of CBD in the body after consumption. It is also essential to submit stability studies, so that the consumer can be assured of the validity of the expiry date on Naturecan products.
Which products will be tested?
The dossier includes Naturecan Broad-Spectrum CBD Distillate and all other Naturecan CBD finished products – from Tinctures and Capsules to Nut Butters and Cookies, so whichever product our customer chooses from the Naturecan range, they are assured of its safety and quality.
Ethics and Responsibility
Any ethical, responsible company in the consumer health and wellness sector, such as Naturecan, has the safety of their customers at the forefront of their minds.
After all, consumers put their trust in such companies, often ordering nutritional and health supplements directly online. Consumers are therefore reliant on their chosen seller to have carefully selected their ingredients, both active and inactive (fillers) inclusions, that comply with the current safety regulations, and are independently tested to rigorous standards.
They will be taking unlicensed, non-prescription products, so the responsible seller must provide a safe, high-quality product and make their customer aware of any precautions or contra-indications for CBD use.
Third-Party Lab Testing
Extensive third-party testing is already a fundamental part of our process, with Naturecan adopting a rigorous seven-point testing process since inception – designed to guarantee customer safety, quality ingredients and product purity. We look forward to building on this essential process alongside the FSA through our Novel Food Licensing.
CBD on the rise in the UK
CBD product use has grown significantly in the UK within the past year. A YouGov poll provided insight into CBD usage and awareness in the UK population. It revealed that 71% of respondents were aware of CBD and 16% of them had already purchased a CBD product. “However, when it came to consumer confidence in CBD products, the results were not positive” say the Association for the Cannabinoid Industry (ACI).
Only 29% of respondents felt confident that CBD products were labelled correctly and properly tested, while 45% said they were NOT confident.
This poll demonstrated that consumers have a clear view regarding regulation of CBD; they want to see it, so the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) can be assured that they have consumer support for the new measures they have introduced.
Novel Food License Application Legal Requirement
The UK Government FSA have announced that all companies selling CBD products in the UK after 31/03/2021, must have submitted a validated Novel Food License Application.
This will allow their products to legally remain on sale after this date.
Any company not complying with these regulations will have their products removed from sale.
Our Head of Nutrition Message
This is very good news for the consumer, as they will easily be able to see if their chosen CBD products are compliant with these important regulations. This will certainly boost consumer confidence in the compliant CBD brands, as well as ensuring that ongoing research in this exciting field is conducted on safe, independently tested products.
With the progress Naturecan has already made, and continues to make, through third-party testing and stringently researched NPD creation, we look forward to operating in an industry that guarantees customer safety and product quality.
People use CBD oil and other CBD-based products for different reasons, including reducing pain, controlling anxiety and improving sleep. Although studies report few side effects with CBD use, its effectiveness for various medical conditions requires further research. CBD oil is commonly used for medical conditions that researchers may have not yet rigorously studied, because anecdotally, it works for other people with those conditions. People who use CBD oil should consult their doctor, especially if they are taking prescription drugs, to ensure it is safe to do so.
CBD should not be consumed during pregnancy or when breastfeeding, as like many supplements and medications, the safety of doing so has not been established. As always, Naturecan will continue to drive awareness around safe CBD use for all types of people – supporting individuals with clear, easily accessible information relating to daily use, dosage and CBD product types.
The innovative research on the use of CBD for various end indications, with the aim of providing scientific, evidence-based data, is ongoing. This research is both promising and exciting, especially when the above regulations are in place to reassure the consumer on the safety of available CBD products – and as a business committed to the welfare of all consumers, we hope to continue our robust safety practices in line with those of the FSA.
The FSA currently advises those who are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking any medication not to consume CBD products. The FSA recommends no more than 70mg a day (about 28 drops of 5% CBD) unless under medical direction. This new precautionary advice is based on recent findings by the government’s Committee on Toxicity (COT). Finally, please consider all forms of consumption as part this calculation up to 70mg; ingestion, inhalation, and via dermal means.
Moyra Cosgrove, BSc Hons Nutrition, MSc Sport Nutrition
