EFSA warns THC levels of hemp-containing supplements exceed safety limit – FoodNavigator.com

Writing in the Authoritys official journal, the report identifies the complications that can occur with the excessive consumption of the psychoactive compound Delta9tetrahydrocannabinol (9THC).

The data used to assess acute exposure to Total9THC was finally composed of 588 samples (covering 13 hemp and hempderived products), the report states.

Acute dietary exposure was assessed at the upper bound (UB) and lower bound (LB) for Total9THC for consumers only of hemp and hempderived dietary supplements (n = 26, at the UB P50 = 1,115, up to P75 = 19,800 micrograms (g) Total9THC/kg).

For this scenario on Dietary supplements: 26 samples were available and acute exposure was estimated up to the P75 occurrence level.

At this percentile, for high consumers the exposure to Total9THC varied between 1.5 and 9.9 (UB) g/kg bw in adults.

Discussing its methodology, the report acknowledges that within the dietary supplements category and the 26 samples available, nine were reported as dietary supplements with no further specification of the classification with a median concentration of 7,260 g/kg.

Two samples were reported as vitamin supplements and had a Total 9THC content of 280 and 26,300 g/kg;

In addition, eight samples were reported as protein and amino acids supplements with a median content of 2,145 g/kg, whilst seven were identified as Plant extract formula with a median of 897 g/kg (with a max as high as 1,230,000 g/kg).

While an acute exposure assessment to the supplements was performed; the reports authors add the high heterogeneity of this category and the relatively high number of samples not further specified, meant results should be interpreted with caution since high uncertainty is associated with the occurrence levels and therefore with the results of the exposure assessment.

Derived from the hemp plant Cannabis sativa, 9THC generally occurs at low concentrations. In the European Union (EU), hemp varieties cultivated and used for feed must be listed in the EU's Common Catalogue of Varieties of Agricultural Plant Species.

According to Regulation (EU) No 1307/20131, the maximum content of THC in these varieties is limited to 0.2 % (w/w). However, THC is currently not regulated under any EU regulation for use in food.

In concluding its findings, EFSA adds that its acute reference dose (ARfD) of one g/kg bw was exceeded in the adult high consumers of most of the hemp and hempcontaining products considered in this assessment, both under the LB and UB scenario.

Further research is needed in order to obtain sensitive, validated (this including interlaboratory validation) and 9THC specific methods to be translated to reliable official methods, the report recommends.

Member states should be encouraged to collect and submit to EFSA more occurrence data (based on selective methods) for 9THC in food and especially of animal origin, including dairy products, eggs and meat of animals fed with hemp and hempderived products.

The report adds that consumption data on real consumers of hemp and hempcontaining products are needed to refine the exposure assessment.

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EFSA warns THC levels of hemp-containing supplements exceed safety limit - FoodNavigator.com