Novel Food

Category: Regulatory · Level: Expert

Novel Food is an EU regulatory classification applied to CBD products, requiring authorization before they can be marketed as food supplements.

In the European Union, the Novel Food Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 applies to food and food ingredients that were not consumed to a significant degree within the EU before May 15, 1997. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has classified CBD extracts and most cannabinoid-based ingredients as Novel Foods requiring authorization before commercial sale as food supplements. This classification has significant commercial and regulatory implications for the European CBD industry, requiring manufacturers to submit safety dossiers with toxicological and nutritional data. Products already on market received transitional period allowances in many member states, with full authorization decisions pending for multiple applications.

Also known as

EU Novel Food regulation, CBD regulatory classification

Usage

Legal
Industrial

Regulatory notes

EFSA's Novel Food classification for CBD applies across EU member states. UK applies its own Novel Food regulations post-Brexit. Applications submitted by multiple companies remain under review as of 2026.

Related terms

Hemp — Hemp refers to Cannabis sativa L. varieties cultivated for industrial, nutritional, and CBD purposes, legally defined by low THC content (typically below 0.3%).
Compliance — Cannabis compliance refers to adherence to all applicable laws, regulations, and standards governing the production, testing, distribution, and sale of cannabis.
GMP — Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) is a quality assurance framework mandated by regulatory agencies for the production of pharmaceutical, food, and cannabis products.
CBD — Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis and hemp, widely used in medical research and consumer wellness products.

In other languages

Browse Regulatory terms