Washington state bans all CBD-infused foods, beverages in accordance with FDA

Washington state banned the commercial sale of food and beverages containing CBD, sticking closely to U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) policy.

The FDA currently stipulates that the cannabinoid cannot be an ingredient in the food supply, and the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) posted similar restrictions this month.

“To be clear, CBD is not currently allowed as a food ingredient, under federal and state law,” the state agency wrote.

Other hemp products are allowed in food, according to the WSDA.

Hemp ingredients the FDA has determined to be Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) based on federal requirements include hulled hempseeds, hempseed protein powder and hempseed oil.

Washington state agriculture officials said food manufacturers must remove CBD ingredients from their products and discontinue distribution of food products that contain them.

“If the FDA approves food ingredient uses for hemp extracts like CBD, those uses would be allowed under state law,” the WSDA noted.

FDA executive Lowell Schiller said at an industry event earlier this month that CBD treatments are promising but that far more research needs to be done before federal authorities can allow them in foods and dietary supplements.