HACCP food-grade production of cannabinoid ingredients

products-servicesCBDepot s.r.o.

June 22nd 2021

CBDepot, the leading European manufacturer of ethical cannabis-derived and cannabinoid-related products, is researching methods and processes for production of cannabinoids that meet food grade standards for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) certification.

This is a key requirement for gaining market authorization for phytocannabinoid ingredients such as cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG) as novel food ingredients.

HACCP requirements

HACCP certification is one of the most meaningful proofs of commitment to production of safe food additives and ingredients. Certification follows an evidence-based approach for inspection by regulatory authorities or stakeholders.

HACCP certification is an international standard defining the requirements for effective control of food safety and is based on seven principles:

Hazard Analysis of biological, chemical or physical food hazards
Determine Critical Control Points(CCPs) in the production process
Monitoring system for CCPs
Critical control limits (e.g., minimum cooking temperatures and times)
Establish corrective actions
Establish procedure for verification to confirm ongoing HACCP compliance
Establish documentation and record keeping regimes.

CBDepot research program

At the Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals at the Czech Academy of Sciences in Prague, CBDepot is running studies of alcohol extraction, distillation and crystallization processes for cannabinoids extracted from cannabis sativa plants that meet HACCP requirements for manufacture of food ingredients, as well as cosmetic and vaping products.

CBDepot manufacture of hemp extracts is already certified under the Narcotics License issued by the Czech Ministry of Health to meet EU requirements.

CBDepot has also obtained certification that its products meet Kosher requirements.

CBDepot cannabinoid products

These products include oil-form Cannabis Sativa Leaf Extracts that have high cannabidiol (CBD) or cannabigerol (CBG) content, as well as broad spectrum CBG and CBD distillate.

From its production facility at Prague, CBDepot produces CBD and CBG dominant broad spectrum distillates and downstream products such as cannabis sativa leaf extracts. Its plant-based cannabinoid products include CBD and CBG. These are also available in synthesized form. All CBDepot ingredients are tested to be effectively THC-free at under 0.0005% LOQ.

At its Brno facility, also in the Czech Republic, CBDepot’s sister company CB21 Pharma produces pharma-grade synthesized and isolated trans-cannabidiol (trans-CBD).

HACCP certification will also apply to Canadian hemp seed oil made by cold pressing of hemp seeds that CBDepot’s sister company Hemp Seed Oil Europe Ltd. has been supplying to the EU market since 2010.

Under EU regulations, food supplements are concentrated sources of nutrients (vitamins or minerals). No psychoactive substances are allowed to be part of foods or food supplements in the EU. CBDepot has released a full presentation from its Chief Sales Officer Boris Baňas explaining more about the legal status of cannabinoids in end-user products for the EU market (see Resources).