EU slashes CBD intake limits amid lingering safety concerns and patchy data

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has introduced a strict provisional limit on the consumption of hemp-derived CBD news. The move follows nearly three years of regulatory uncertainty due to gaps in safety data. The new threshold could significantly alter how CBD products are sold and used across Europe.

EFSA's new guideline sets a safe daily intake of 0.0275 milligrams of CBD per kilogram of body weight. For an average 70 kg adult, this translates to roughly 2 mg per day. The limit applies only to food supplements containing CBD with at least 98% purity.

The authority has also issued warnings against CBD news for certain groups. These include individuals under 25, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and people taking medication. Despite the new rules, EFSA admits that key data on CBD's effects on the liver, hormones, nervous system, and fertility remain incomplete.

Europe's approach contrasts sharply with the United States, where no federal consumption limits exist. The FDA treats CBD news as unapproved for food and supplements, while some states allow hemp-derived CBD with no more than 0.3% THC. Unlike the EU, no US state has set specific CBD dosage restrictions.

The EU's cautious stance has created a patchwork of national rules. Member states enforce their own regulations, with Germany, for example, capping THC at 0.3% but not specifying CBD intake limits. Meanwhile, most CBD products in Europe remain in a legal grey area, as they lack full authorisation under the EU's 'novel food' classification.

The provisional limit could push the European CBD news market toward a tightly controlled, low-dose sector. Manufacturers and consumers must now navigate stricter rules, while regulators continue to monitor emerging safety data. For now, the EU's framework remains one of the most restrictive globally.