Scientific Opinion on the risks for human health related to the presence of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in milk and other food of animal origin

Abstract

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the risks for human health related to the presence of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in milk and other food of animal origin. THC, more precisely delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ 9 -THC) is derived from the hemp plant Cannabis sativa. In fresh plant material, up to 90 % of total Δ 9 -THC is present as the non-psychoactive precursor Δ 9 -THC acid. Since few data on ∆ 9 -THC levels in foods of animal origin were available, the Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM Panel) estimated acute human dietary exposure to ∆ 9 -THC combining different scenarios for the presence of ∆ 9 -THC in hemp seed-derived feed materials. Acute exposure to ∆ 9 -THC from the consumption of milk and dairy products ranged between 0.001 and 0.03 µg/kg body weight (b.w.) per day in adults, and 0.006 and 0.13 µg/kg b.w. per day in toddlers. From human data, the CONTAM Panel concluded that 2.5 mg Δ 9 -THC/day, corresponding to 0.036 mg Δ 9 -THC/kg b.w. per day, represents the lowest observed adverse effect level. By applying an overall uncertainty factor of 30, an acute reference dose (ARfD) of 1 μg Δ 9 -THC/kg b.w. was derived. The exposure estimates are at most 3 % and 13 % the ARfD, in adults and toddlers, respectively. The CONTAM Panel concluded that exposure to ∆ 9 -THC via consumption of milk and dairy products, resulting from the use of hemp seed-derived feed materials at the reported concentrations, is unlikely to pose a health concern. A risk assessment resulting from the use of whole hemp plant-derived feed materials is currently not feasible due to a lack of occurrence data. The CONTAM Panel could also not conclude on the possible risks to public health from exposure to ∆ 9 -THC via consumption of animal tissues and eggs, due to a lack of data on the potential transfer and fate of ∆ 9 -THC. Tetrahydrocannabinol, more precisely delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ 9 -THC) is the most relevant constituent derived from the hemp plant Cannabis sativa. Four stereoisomers of Δ 9 -THC are possible, with (-)-trans-Δ 9 -THC being the only naturally occurring isomer. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, which is found in the growing and harvested plant, is the biosynthetic precursor of Δ 9 -THC. Besides 2-COOH-Δ 9 -THC, which in this opinion is referred to as Δ 9 -THCA-A, another positional isomer, 4-COOH-Δ 9 -THC, denoted as Δ 9-THCA-B, may also occur in the hemp plant. In fresh plant material of C. sativa, up to 90 % of the 'total' Δ 9 -THC is present as the non-psychoactive precursor Δ 9 -THCA-A. The rate and extent of transformation of the precursor acids into Δ 9 -THC in the plant material is dependent on physical effects, in particular temperature. In addition to Δ 9 -THC, C. sativa preparations may contain at least 60 other cannabinoids, several of which are biologically active. This risk assessment does not evaluate the exposure and associated risks of cannabis used as a medicinal drug or for recreational purposes, but as requested in the ter...

Bioavailability and Bioefficacy of Hemp By-Products in Ruminant Meat Production and Preservation: A Review

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Are side effects of cannabidiol (CBD) products caused by tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) contamination?

“…Some manufacturers even suggest an increase of daily dosage over time). Generally, these products pose a risk to human health, especially in light of the German guideline value for total THC in these kind of products 19,40 . The German guideline value of 150 μg total THC/kg for foods in general including food supplements is several orders of magnitude below the actual contents of Δ 9 -THC in the CBD products, even without consideration of THCA.…”

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