CBD is legal to sell in the UK, but “legal” comes with conditions that a lot of shoppers — and a fair number of sellers — are hazy on. Here is the framework in plain terms.

Ingestible CBD is a novel food

Foods without a significant history of consumption in Great Britain before May 1997 are classed as novel foods, and they require authorisation before they can be sold. Ingestible CBD falls into this category.

In practice this covers CBD oils and drops, capsules, gummies and other edibles. Products that are not eaten — balms, creams, bath products — sit outside the novel foods regime, though other rules still apply to them.

The FSA public list

The Food Standards Agency maintains a public list of CBD products linked to validated novel food applications. Broadly, products on that list may remain on sale while their applications are assessed; products that are not linked to a validated application should not be on the market as ingestibles.

This is checkable. If you want to verify a product, look for the brand or the responsible person on the FSA list rather than taking a website’s word for it.

THC and controlled substances

CBD itself is not a controlled substance. THC is. Consumer CBD products must keep controlled cannabinoids within strict limits, which is why the THC figure on a certificate of analysis matters and why broad spectrum and isolate products are tested to confirm THC is non-detectable.

This is also the practical reason to read the lab report rather than the marketing copy if THC content matters to you personally.

Recommended daily intake

The FSA publishes advice on the maximum recommended daily intake of CBD for healthy adults, and this has been revised over time — the current figure is meaningfully lower than the guidance issued when the market first took off. Products should carry a statement reflecting the current advice.

Worth being alert to: some high-strength products deliver a large amount per serving, so the daily intake guidance is doing real work rather than being a formality.

What sellers cannot claim

CBD sold as a food supplement is not a medicine. That means sellers cannot lawfully claim a product treats, prevents or cures anything. If a brand’s copy strays into medical territory, it is not being more informative than its competitors — it is breaking the rules.

The FSA also advises against CBD for certain groups, including under-18s, people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and anyone taking medication, unless under medical direction.

A practical checklist

• Is the product linked to a validated novel foods application?
• Is there a batch-specific certificate of analysis you can actually see?
• Does the label state spectrum, total content and per-serving amount?
• Is there a recommended daily intake statement?
• Is the seller making medical claims? (A red flag, not a selling point.)
• Are trader details — company name and address — clearly published?

Where we stand

Our compliance position and batch documentation are set out on the lab reports and product compliance page, and suitability guidance is on our age and suitability page.

Important: This article is general information about UK regulation, not legal or medical advice, and the regulatory position can change. Check the FSA’s current guidance for the latest position. CBD products are food supplements and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.