CBD, a controversial product offering many health benefits, has recently caught the public's attention.
Hemp & cannabidiol (CBD) are considered the top ingredient trends and have rapidly become an essential part of the functional food space. In transforming from a trending ingredient to an ingredient trend, the sector has to overcome the complex worldwide regulatory landscape, quality, and supply challenges and raises a query on the scientific basis of health associations. CBD is hugely disruptive throughout several markets but not other than food, beverage, and health and wellness. Therefore, the worldwide CBD market is advancing astounding.
Science before the Hype
The ingredient CBD is removed from the cannabis plant, and as opposed to THC, which is responsible for cannabis's 'high,' CBD is not psychoactive. As a result, CBD has been associated with several positive health outcomes in medicine. For example, pieces of evidence point to its use in treating some symptoms of childhood epilepsy, like Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS). CBD also helps tackle various health issues like anxiety and is used in a new range of cosmetic products.
Uncertainty and Complexities
Navigating a challenging regulatory environment is the main challenge for the manufacturers working in CBD. Hemp is a legitimate ingredient in the EU and other markets, but the legal status of products containing CBD is murky. In addition, CBD requires pre-market authorization in the European Union as it lies under the Novel Food Regulation.
Supply and Quality
A significant cause for concern in CBD is the damage that can be caused due to fledgling the industry by inadequate quality supplies, which is also vital health care. Consumers demand transparency throughout the FMCG space, but the increasing demand for CBD products bestows manufacturers with challenges around the quality of the supply.
The sector has to respond to these problems on a priority basis and deliver a traceable and safe product. But unfortunately, consumers' health and safety hesitation can potentially stop the high-growth but fledgling CBD sector.