UK Slashes Daily CBD Intake Recommendation to Just 10mg; It’s Ridiculous

In a controversial decision, UK food regulators have dramatically reduced the recommended daily intake of CBD to just 10mg per day, causing concern within the industry and scientific communities. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland issued “precautionary advice” to limit CBD consumption, citing potential risks of liver damage and thyroid issues associated with long-term cannabidiol use.

This move marks a significant reduction from the previous recommended maximum daily dose for healthy adults, which stood at 70mg. FSA's Chief Scientific Advisor, Professor Robin May, emphasized that the long-term risks associated with CBD consumption increase with the quantity consumed, akin to the risks associated with other potentially harmful substances, such as alcohol.

Professor May stated, “The more CBD you consume over your lifetime, the more likely you are to develop long-term adverse effects, like liver damage or thyroid issues.” He encouraged consumers to monitor the CBD content on product labels and consider adjusting their intake based on this updated advice. It's worth noting that the FSA has not requested the withdrawal of any CBD products from sale.

The updated guidelines are based on findings from independent science committees, including the Committee on Toxicity and the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes. These revisions followed a safety review of evidence submitted by CBD companies as part of their novel foods applications to the FSA. While there's no acute safety risk associated with consuming more than 10mg of CBD per day, evidence suggests potential adverse impacts on the liver and thyroid with prolonged use beyond this threshold.

FSA Chief Executive Emily Miles acknowledged that this change in advice would impact products currently on the market that contain more than 10mg of CBD per serving. The FSA is committed to working closely with the industry to mitigate potential risks and ensure consumer safety.

However, this decision is expected to face criticism from both the CBD industry and the scientific community. Notably, a recent study published in October 2023 in Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology arrived at different recommendations. The study proposed an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) value of 0.43 milligrams of CBD per kilogram of body weight per day (mg/kg-bw/d) for the general population. This translates to roughly 30mg of CBD per day for a typical 70-kilogram adult, taking into account lifetime exposure from all sources, including food.

The study also suggested an Upper Intake Limit (UL) of 70mg of CBD per day for healthy adults considering CBD dietary supplements with clear and accurate product labeling. An alternative UL of 100mg per day was established for healthy adults, excluding those attempting to conceive, pregnant, or lactating, with a focus on liver effects. Additionally, an alternative UL of 160 mg per day was suggested for a population that excludes individuals at risk for liver injury. These recommendations provide a stark contrast to the FSA's recent guidance and underscore the ongoing debate surrounding CBD consumption.

This story was originally covered by The Guardian.