Cannabis Industry Faces High Expectations for Food Safety

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a non-intoxicating component of the cannabis plant that has been linked to a range of potential health and therapeutic benefits. Although CBD doesn’t make people feel high like THC does, it’s causing quite a buzz among scientists, health professionals, and medical marijuana patients who are using CBD-rich products to treat a wide range of conditions - chronic pain, cancer, PTSD, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, anxiety, antibiotic-resistant infections, multiple sclerosis, and schizophrenia.

The Cannabis / Hemp industry has made great strides in recent years.To date, 30 states and the District of Columbia now allow marijuana use for medical and/or recreational use. Additionally, 16 more states have also legalized the inclusion of cannabidiols (CBDs) to be used in various forms. CBD is estimated to make up a roughly $1 billion industry, but the recent federal approval could make it even more lucrative by jump-starting demand for CBD-based products. Many of them are sourced from hemp, which is currently legal from the standpoint of the federal government. CBD can also be sourced from marijuana, however, and products made with marijuana-derived CBD are only legal in states where marijuana has been legalized. 

A number of CBD-based food products have surfaced that will fall under existing food safety regulations. Those products include cannabis-infused beverages (water, tea, coffee, juice, and beer), salves, oils, balms, vapes, edibles (cookies and gummies), and even dog treats.The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sets high standards for the food and pharmaceutical industries to ensure the safety of the consumer. To maintain the consumer’s trust, the cannabis industry will need to take similar precautions to establish to ensure quality and safety. 

Producers of cannabis-based food and beverage products need to consider hygienic cleaning and handling tools to maintain compliance with HACCP food safety programs and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs). Union Jack can help! We're a leading supplier of cleaning and handling tools for craft food and beverage. We provide a number of FDA-compliant and color-coded products that are purpose-built for food safety including:

• Stainless-steel pharma scoops
• Color-coded hygienic plastic scoops
• Food hoes, rakes and shovels
• Large angled tubs for transport or storage
• Ultra hygiene squeegees and brushes
• Wall brackets to store your tools
• Metal detectable pens and scrapers

A good example of the industry taking the correct approach is Cura Cannabis Solutions of Portland, Oregon. Cura is a leading provider of cannabis oil to consumers and brands in legal U.S., Canada, and international markets. They chose Union Jack as a supplier for many of their tools needed for FDA-compliance.

If you are company that produces cannabidiol-based products, click here to check out our large selection or give us a call to discuss your needs!