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8 SNACKING NEWS April 2019 Both compounds bind to receptors in the human body – there are dozens, in the brain, gut and elsewhere. Both com- pounds are said to relieve pain, nausea and anxiety; CBD may also help its users who suffer from other health conditions, in- cluding migraines and depression, while THC may help those with glaucoma, low appetite and PTSD. In states where marijuana is legal for both recreational and medical use, retail- ers may be able to sell CBD products. Some states have passed laws that make CBD for medical use legal. CBD is gen- erally recognized as safe (GRAS) when made from hemp. Checking the legality of CBD products in a retailer's state is easy. But federal, state and local laws often conflict. In January, the U.S. Senators from Ore- gon, Ron Wyden and Jeff Markley, sent a letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Admin- istration, asking the FDA to update its reg- ulations to allow the interstate sale of food products containing CBD. Though the senators asked for a response within 30 days, there's no timeline for the FDA to act. FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb has reiterated the FDA's position that CBD is a drug and therefore illegal to add to food or health products without FDA approval. The FDA has sent warning let- ters to some companies making health claims for CBD. Ronie Schmelz is an attorney in Los CBD Snacks Continued from Page 1 Angeles, California, who is also licensed in New York. She regularly counsels com- panies that want to create CBD products. "Here in L.A., you can buy CBD shots to add to your coffee, or order a CBD-en- hanced martini," she says. "But that does- n't mean it's legal. We're starting to see a little bit more enforcement activity. [Her clients] haven't seen any warning letters, but we have started seeing local and fed- eral inspections." Many CBD products are for skin and hair care, she notes, but more and more companies are producing CBD edibles. "CBD is ingestible, but we don't know how much we can take, or should take," she says. Lack of Science, Lack of Regulation Because marijuana is still a schedule-1 drug, Schmelz notes, little research has been done in the U.S. to prove CBD's ef- ficacy. While the newest Farm Bill made the cultivation and transportation of hemp legal, it hasn't changed marijuana's status. "There has also been no modification in the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act concerning hemp or CBD," she says. Scientists have noted that few compre- hensive clinical studies exist in the U.S. to determine how CBD affects humans. Canada, which legalized medical mari- juana in 2001, and Israel, which legalized some uses of medical marijuana in the early 1990s, have done the most research on the effects of THC and CBD, says in- dustry observer Michael Klein. Klein, the Chief Executive Officer of cannabismd.com, describes his website as "the only non-advocacy platform for the potential benefits of medical marijuana," and says he wants "to empower consumers to make choices that are right for them." While state and federal authorities tussle over legality, Klein says, consumer inter- est in CBD products has skyrocketed. "CBD is now one of the most searched terms on the internet," he says. "It used to be that 'food' was the most searched terms. But now, if you put 'food' against wellness, beauty and CBD, just in the last nine months, CBD has surpassed food." This, he says, is a monumental shift. "You're seeing consumers connecting on CBD faster than the media can cover it. They've had positive experiences with it, and they want to share their experience with others." How Much CBD is too Much? Among those questions, says Dr. Rob Streisfeld, a naturopathic doctor, is how much CBD is safe, and how much is overkill. Streisfeld is the founder of Beyond Brands, an agency that promotes "con- scious brands, with a focus on plant-based foods, products and awareness." He's also the author of two books, including "The Cannabis Conundrum." Streisfeld says he expects the CBD snack industry to grow. "It [CBD] seems to have an extremely safe profile, and with increased awareness comes the desire to incorporate it into foods, beverages and other consumer products. Bars, cookies and chocolate are going to have CBD added. Beverages in general are going to be a huge category," he says. Adding CBD to foods makes sense, he adds. "Many of the receptors for CBD are in the di- gestive system, making food and beverages a desirable method of de- livery," Streisfeld says. But there are a couple of hitches. "CBD comes in two forms: a broad spectrum, which in- cludes other compounds from the plant, and an isolate, which separates out CBD from all other compounds. The challenge in the industry is to decide which form to use. Research shows that CBD has more effectiveness when the other compounds are present. Are we giving up functionality for legality if we choose the isolate?" The other problem, in Streisfeld's view, is market saturation. "At what point will saturation not only decrease the value of using CBD in formulation?" he says. "At what level does the industry defeat itself?" Like the rush to add probiotics to products, he says, "it may be a race to the bottom." Until the FDA clarifies its position, he says, "this is going to be a challenging space, and even more so because of the eyes of the feds." n Frito-Lay Launches Flavor Shots Innovation Flavor Shots, a new line-up from Pep- siCo's Frito-Lay snack division, offers poppable snacks in four power up flavors from Doritos ® and Cheetos ® Flavor Shots feature a burst of intensity and crunch with every bite and come in a convenient ready- to-go packaging. Cheetos Flamin' Hot ® Asteroids ® are re- turning nationwide as part of the new Fla- vor Shots product line. Asteroids will be joined with three brand-new varieties: Doritos Fiery Habañero Triangles, Doritos Nacho Cheese Nuts, and Doritos Flamin' Hot Nacho Cheese Nuts. The Flavor Shots product line is now available on store shelves nationwide. Doritos Flavor Shots Nacho Cheese Nuts and Flamin' Hot Nacho Cheese Nuts are available in 1.75-ounce bags, Doritos Flavor Shots Fiery Habañero Triangles are available in 1.375-ounce bags, and Cheetos Flavor Shots Flamin' Hot Asteroids are avail- able in 1.25-ounce bags. All varieties are available for a suggested retail price of $1.19. For more information, visit www .fritolay.com. n Coconut Collaborative Production Hits U.S. Soil Coconut Collaborative, a premium co- conut yogurt brand in Europe, will now produce its full line of plant-based, dairy- free yogurts, and desserts cups for its American audience with updated bold, sustainable packaging in Los Angeles, California. British-born and beloved globally, the brand's new design will showcase its ded- ication to high-quality ingredients that are better tasting and better for you and the planet. After launching in the U.S. last year, Coconut Collaborative's new West Coast production will meet the growing popular- ity in plant-based options in the U.S. mar- ket and the brand's environmental mission. The new packaging incorporates bright, bold colors with macro-fruit-shots reflect- ing the natural flavors. Coconut Collaborative's prod- ucts offer dairy-free alternatives that are both vegan and gluten-free, with less sugar than leading competitor brands. Its dairy-free yogurt varieties include Plain, Vanilla, Blueberry, and Mango & Passionfruit. Its single-serving dessert op- tion, Decadent Dessert Cups, feature 100 calories and are available in Chocolate, Salted Caramel, and Lemon Cream. Both products are found in retailers nationwide, including Wegmans, Safeway Norcal, Earth Fare, The Fresh Market, New Sea- sons, Kings, Bristol Farms, Nugget Mar- kets, Erewhon, Lassens, Mother's Market, Haggen, Metropolitan Market and the on- line retailer, Mylk Guys. For more information, visit www .coconutcollaborative.com. n

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