There is no shortage of CBD products on the market. An industry that has seen a nationwide boom in recent years, CBD oils, gummies, cookies and coffees are available in all shapes and sizes, each wrapped up in its own distinct packaging to set it apart from the competition.

But there’s more to packaging and labelling than standing out from the crowd. UK labelling regulations encompass a particular set of requirements for manufacturers of edible products to adhere to, and CBD products have their own unique aspects to consider.

Why is Proper Packaging Important?

Brand Image & Recognition

With so many products out there to compete with, an eye-catching label and recognisable branding is what’s going to initially attract customers and have them reaching for your product. Your label is your chance to make a first impression, and it's important to make this one count.

Providing Information

Once you’ve caught the attention of your target customer, providing them with the information they need is what’s going to tip them in the direction of securing a sale. In such an oversaturated market, consumers need to know exactly what your product is and what makes it different from the rest, in a way that’s quick and easy to absorb. 

With edible CBD products, providing information is also what’s going to enable users to consume the product safely, choose the dosage that’s right for them, and avoid ingredients that they can’t eat.

Adhering to Legal Requirements

Above all, adhering to the proper requirements and regulations set out by UK law is what will ultimately mean the difference between your product being on the shelves or not.

With many still unclear about the legal status of CBD in the UK, getting the proper packaging measures in place during the production process can be confusing, but it’s crucial to get up to speed to ensure your product complies with proper packaging and labelling regulations.

CBD as a Novel Food

In January 2019, CBD was confirmed as having a novel food status within the UK. 

Novel foods have been defined by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) as foods which have not been widely consumed by people, or else don’t have a ‘history of consumption’ within the UK or EU prior to May 1997. 

This is important to note in terms of packaging regulations, as novel foods require legal authorisation before they can be packaged up and sold. This is done through an application process, meaning anyone wanting to produce, manufacture and sell an edible product containing CBD must apply for authorisation first.

CBD’s status as a novel food within the UK is also significant as it sets the compound apart from its illicit cousin, THC. Tetrahydrocannabinol is the psychoactive element found in the cannabis plant, and is not legal to consume under UK rule.

Some products containing CBD may also contain traces of THC, and if those traces are above the legal limits, that product will not be permitted to be sold within the UK as it could technically be classed as a controlled substance. The application process allows the FSA to filter out any products that would not comply with these regulations.

Packaging and Labelling Requirements

For anyone looking to package and populate their own brand of CBD products, they’ll have to adhere to the UK’s Food Labelling Regulations 1996 6(1), set out by the government. This legislation states that food packaging labels must include the following:

1. Proper Terminology & Compound Composition

More than simply ‘peach-flavoured gummies’ or ‘hemp tea bags’, manufacturers are required to also include the proper terminology of the cannabinoid in the product. Not only must it be clear that the product contains CBD, but they must go into the detail of the actual compounds used. 

For example, these CBD sweets are labelled ‘Broad Spectrum CBD’ on the front of the packaging, while the back outlines exactly what has been used and how much of it, always in milligrams.

Proper terminology also requires CBD packaging to include the name and details of the brand responsible for the production and manufacturing.

2. Ingredients & Nutrition

As with any food product you’d typically find on a shelf in a store, the packaging must clearly state every ingredient used in the product and the net weight of the product as a whole.

Along with the active compound, this includes anything else used to make the product, along with allergy advice and a vegan certification if the product is entirely animal and cruelty-free.

The term ‘food supplement’ must also be included, in order to differentiate the product from being directly associated with medical usage.

Medical information such as health claims are tricky, regardless of the increasing emergence of substantial research into the beneficial properties of CBD on health and wellbeing, as the law currently recognises CBD products as food supplements rather than medicinal ones. It’s usually best to avoid making these claims altogether if you want to mitigate the risk of any legal action down the line. 

3. Storage Instructions

This should advise customers on where to keep the product, for example in the fridge or a cool, dark place, to ensure it remains safe and fit for consumption.

For products containing CBD, law also requires that the packaging warns users to keep it out of the reach of children. This is common practice for any edible product that may affect the mind and body.

4. Shelf Life

A standard for any edible produce, the shelf life of the product must be stated on the packaging to avoid consumers accidentally taking something that’s out of date. The expiration date must be within one year of the manufacture date.

5. Dosage Guidance

Along with the details of exactly what active compound is contained within the product, the packaging must state the concentration of the compound, or in other words, the strength of the CBD. Dosage is dependent on this strength level, and also what type of product it actually is.

For example, this CBD oil is contained in a 30ml bottle, and contains 1500mg of CBD distillate. The packaging label states that there is 2.5mg of CBD per drop, and warns the user not to exceed 70mg in a 24-hour period.

Other products such as CBD gummies might have concentrations of 10-50mg of CBD per sweet, with labels advising people to take one to two a day depending on the strength of the product.

Dosage guidance usually also includes advice on how to actually consume the product, for example by placing CBD under your tongue for two minutes before swallowing.

Bespoke White Label CBD Products

With so many factors to consider and competitors to go up against, crafting your own packaging can be tricky and time-consuming. That’s why we’ve developed our established CBD white labelling and manufacturing service that allows you to get your product out there, with eye-catching designs that always comply with UK and international regulations.

We handle everything from research and development to marketing and distribution, with an existing network of 4000 CBD businesses across the UK to connect you to once your packaging is ready. All we need from you are your specifications, preferred raw materials, and where you’d like these materials sourced, and we’ll take care of the rest.