CBD manufacturing
UK CBD supplement manufacturer under Novel Foods and BRCGS AA+ controls
Manufacturing CBD capsules, gummies, oils, and tinctures. Novel Foods authorisation considered at NPD, THC and potency tested per batch, produced in our BRCGS AA+ audited facility. From 1,000 units per SKU.
Regulation first
CBD in the UK, what you need to get right
CBD is one of the most tightly regulated supplement ingredients in the UK. Before we talk manufacturing, your product needs to be compliant on three fronts:
1. Novel Foods authorisation. CBD extracts are Novel Foods-regulated in the UK and EU. Only products listed on the FSA's public Novel Foods list (linked to a valid application that's reached the 'awaiting validation' or 'authorised' stage) can be legally sold as food or food supplements. No list entry equals no legal sale.
2. THC compliance. UK CBD products must contain no more than 1 mg of controlled cannabinoids per container (this includes THC, CBN, and other controlled cannabinoids). Exceed that threshold and the product falls under the Misuse of Drugs Act, not a Novel Foods issue, a criminal-law issue. Every batch needs per-batch THC testing with documented results.
3. FSA daily intake guidance. The FSA's current provisional daily intake guidance is 10 mg of CBD per day for healthy adults from food supplements. Products must be labelled accordingly and dose levels must reflect this guidance unless specific higher-dose authorisation is in place.
Every CBD product we manufacture goes through a regulatory feasibility check at NPD stage: Novel Foods authorisation status, THC compliance plan, dose labelling, claims review, target-market-specific rules. If your product has a regulatory blocker, we flag it before you commit to production.
We hold multiple Novel Foods dossiers and can often manufacture under our authorisation where your formulation is in scope, saving the years and six-figure cost of generating a new dossier.
Formats
Capsules, gummies, oils, tinctures
We manufacture CBD products across all four of our production formats, each with its own regulatory and stability considerations:
- CBD capsules: precise per-dose delivery; most stable format for CBD because the opaque shell protects from light oxidation
- CBD gummies: consumer-preferred format; taste-masking is critical and stability testing needs extra attention given pectin matrix interactions
- CBD oils and tinctures: most common CBD format in the UK; dropper bottles for sub-lingual delivery, oil carriers (MCT, hemp seed, olive)
- CBD liquid shots: emerging format for functional CBD; water-soluble CBD emulsions required
Extract types supported: broad-spectrum (THC removed), isolate (pure CBD), and select full-spectrum applications where UK THC limits allow. CBD isolate is typically the lowest-risk entry point for new brands because THC compliance is inherent.
Testing
Per-batch CBD testing protocol
Every CBD batch is tested for:
- Potency: CBD content validated by HPLC against label claim (typically plus or minus 5 percent tolerance)
- THC and controlled cannabinoids: validated less than 1 mg per container; documented per-batch COA
- Heavy metals: lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury; relevant for CBD derived from hemp (bioaccumulator)
- Pesticide residues: hemp is a bioaccumulator and pesticide screening is critical for imported bulk CBD
- Microbial safety: standard supplement microbial panel
- Residual solvents: depending on extraction method (supercritical CO2, ethanol, hydrocarbon)
Every Informed Sport CBD product adds per-batch banned-substance testing on top (relevant for athletes using CBD for recovery). Certificates of Analysis accompany every batch and are included in the retailer documentation pack.
CBD output capability
CBD manufacturing FAQs
Common questions from brands scoping UK CBD manufacturing.
Can I legally sell CBD supplements in the UK?
Yes, subject to three compliance requirements: (1) Novel Foods authorisation, the product must be linked to a valid Novel Foods application; (2) THC and controlled cannabinoid content must be less than 1 mg per container; (3) labelling must follow FSA daily-intake guidance (currently 10 mg/day provisional). Cutting corners on any of these closes retailer doors faster than any other supplement category.
What's Novel Foods and why does it apply to CBD?
Novel Foods is UK/EU regulation requiring authorisation for ingredients not commonly consumed before 15 May 1997. CBD extracts fell into scope when the FSA confirmed CBD as Novel Foods in 2019. Only products on the FSA list with a valid application can be legally sold.
Do you hold a Novel Foods dossier for CBD?
We hold multiple Novel Foods dossiers. Whether your CBD formulation is in scope depends on extract type, concentration, and application, we check at NPD feasibility stage. In-scope formulations can manufacture under our authorisation, saving the years and six-figure cost of generating a new dossier.
What CBD formats can you manufacture?
Capsules, gummies, oils, tinctures, and liquid shots. Extract types supported: broad-spectrum (THC removed), isolate, and select full-spectrum applications within UK THC limits. CBD isolate is typically the lowest-regulatory-risk starting point for new brands.
How much CBD can my product contain per dose?
The FSA's provisional guidance is 10 mg of CBD per day for healthy adults. Higher doses require specific authorisation evidence. Most retail UK CBD products sit between 5 to 10 mg per serving, multi-dose products up to 10 mg/day total.
What's your MOQ for CBD manufacturing?
1,000 units per SKU, same as standard production. Typical CBD brand first-batch spend (including NPD, regulatory review, and production) sits in mid-four to low-five figures depending on format and extract type.
Can you handle broad-spectrum CBD (THC removed)?
Yes. Broad-spectrum is the most common retail-CBD choice because it preserves the minor cannabinoid and terpene profile without THC-compliance risk. We source from audited hemp-extract suppliers and validate THC removal per batch.
Can you handle full-spectrum CBD?
Subject to UK THC compliance (less than 1 mg controlled cannabinoids per container). Achievable for low-dose products with careful batch-level testing. Not suitable for high-dose products where THC content would exceed the threshold.
Are your CBD products Informed Sport capable?
Yes. Per-batch banned-substance testing is available on top of standard CBD protocols, relevant for athlete-targeted CBD products (recovery, sleep, endurance).
Ready to develop a UK-compliant CBD product?
Bring us your product concept and target market. We'll run a Novel Foods feasibility check, validate THC compliance, and if your formulation is in scope of our dossiers, come back with a costed path to production under our authorisation.