News · Europe CBD
Ireland's Food Safety Authority says CBD used as or in food or food supplements is an unauthorised novel food and cannot legally be placed on the EU market. Hemp seed foods are different. Detectable THC can trigger Misuse of Drugs Act issues under HPRA practice.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) states that CBD as or in food or food supplements falls under Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. Available information to Member States and the Commission is that CBD is an unauthorised novel food, so under Article 6.2 it cannot legally be placed on the EU market as or in food or supplements while authorisation is incomplete.
FSAI draws a clear line for hemp seed: seeds and seed-derived products such as hemp seed oil and flour are outside the Misuse of Drugs Act and outside novel food authorisation needs. That lane does not cover CBD extracts or isolates sold as wellness oils.
FSAI also notes CBD is not a controlled drug in Ireland under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977. Separately, HPRA practice treats detectable THC as bringing products into controlled-drug territory – a stricter finished-product THC stance than Germany’s 0.3% hemp line. Cosmetics follow EU Regulation 1223/2009; medicines need HPRA authorisation (Epidyolex is the authorised CBD medicine path).
EFSA’s February 2026 provisional intake (~2 mg/day) and Commission terminations of incomplete CBD novel food files do not create an Irish retail food approval.
Disclaimer: News context for shoppers, not legal or medical advice. FSAI and HPRA practice can change. Check current official guidance before you buy, ship or sell CBD in Ireland.
FSAI says CBD as or in food or supplements is an unauthorised novel food and cannot legally be placed on the EU market while authorisation is incomplete.
No. FSAI treats hemp seed and seed-derived products as outside novel food authorisation needs. CBD extracts and isolates sold as foods are a different, blocked category.
No. Irish FSAI novel food rules and EU Union-list status still apply to ingestible CBD sold or shipped into Ireland.
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Last updated: August 2026
