FDA Warning Letters for CBD Products used in Farm Animals

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5/6 June 2024

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The FDA issued several Warning Letters to companies illegally selling cannabidiol (CBD) products intended for use in food-producing animals due to safety concerns. The agency is taking these steps to protect animals and the safety of the food supply chain. In addition, the affected companies sell unapproved CBD products for humans. Some of these products were marketed as dietary supplements even though CBD products do not meet the FDA definition of a dietary supplement. These products include oils, creams, extracts, salves, and gummies. The agency previously issued multiple Warning Letters due to CBD product claims establishing the intended use as drugs.

Unapproved drugs have not been evaluated by the FDA to determine

• whether they are effective for their intended use,
• what the proper dosage might be,
• how the products could interact with FDA-approved drugs,
• or whether they have dangerous side effects or other safety concerns.

In addition, there is a lack of data on the residues that may result when food-producing animals consume CBD products. There is also a lack of data on what levels of potential residues are safe for a person consuming the foods derived from CBD-treated animals. Moreover, the manufacturing processes of unapproved CBD products have not been reviewed by the agency to be GMP compliant. For example, the agency has received reports of some CBD products containing contaminants (e.g., pesticides, heavy metals).

The FDA is concerned about these CBD products for farm animals not only because CBD could pose a safety risk for the animals themselves, but also because of lack of data about the safety of the human food products (e.g., meat, milk, eggs) from the animals that have consumed CBD products.

More Information is available in FDA Warns Four Companies for Illegally Selling CBD Products Intended for Use in Food-Producing Animals.