This is an update regarding the ongoing situation with FSA / ‘Novel Foods’ and the impact it is having on us as a company and the brands / products we offer. We feel it is important to relay this to our customers, particularly if you rely on certain brands or products as part of your wellness regime.
We will try to keep it as brief as possible, but here are the key takeaways:
- Currently awaiting a list of ‘validated’ brands from the FSA to confirm the sale of particular products can continue.
- Keeping lower stock levels than usual whilst awaiting the list, which was expected in April.
- Sadly, no longer stocking Sisters of the Valley, Mana Artisan Botanics & Pura Vida CBD for the foreseeable future. These brands are currently on sale and heavily discounted.
- All other brands continue to be stocked.
- New brands and products to be introduced in the coming months.
- ‘Thank you’ for your continued support and patience after a difficult year all round.
As you may be aware the new regulatory framework for CBD, known as ‘Novel Foods’ came into play at the start of April this year. As an importer and retailer of multiple brands, we are keenly awaiting a list from the FSA of brands and subsequently products that have been ‘validated’. This status is given to an application by the FSA as a sign to both retailers and consumers that the sale of the products can continue until complete approval is provided.
Unfortunately, this list was promised some time ago, but over the last few weeks there have been no updates from the FSA and things appear to have gone quiet. As a retailer this is very disconcerting and has a big impact on how we operate as a business. You may have noticed recently that stock levels are lower than usual. This is a measure we have had to take to protect ourselves, should one of our stocked brands not be approved resulting in products being removed from sale.
Some of the international brands we currently stock have decided not to proceed with Novel Foods applications due to either ethics, cost, or the fact the UK is unique in its regulatory position compared to the EU and the rest of the world. Therefore, we are sad to announce we will no longer be stocking Sisters of the Valley, Mana Artisan Botanics and Pura Vida CBD, although we do hope to welcome them back in the future. Stock remaining from these brands is now on sale and heavily discounted.
Whilst we await the list of validated brands and products, we will continue stocking all other brands for the foreseeable future as well as introducing some new brands in the coming months as things become clearer. As a result, you will notice changes happening on our website to reflect this.
Given the impact of the pandemic over the last year, as well as Brexit at the start of 2021 it has been a very turbulent and uncertain time for everybody in the CBD industry. Cannatural would like to thank you for your continued patience and support whilst we work through the red tape, to try and continue providing the best organic cannabis products to our customers.
With love and healing,
Cannatural
