Page 25 - FoodFocusThailand No.193 April 2022

SPECIAL FOCUS

Another cannabinoid that may be suitable for consumers, which the Food and Drug Administration must monitor; (4) consumer
for the food industry and possibly more confidence-building measures in terms of the safety and efficiency of hemp- or
interesting than THC is cannabidiol (CBD) cannabis-derived products; and (5) investment worthiness as the construction of an extracting
CBD has anti-inflammatory, anti-seizure, or food manufacturing factory may entail high costs and colossal investment on research
anxiety-calming, and nerve-cell-protecting and and development to achieve high-quality products. Good and careful preparation will enable
the most importantly non-psychoactive the interested party to effectively handle the new regulatory measures that will be issued
properties. The food industry is trying to in 2022. This, in combination with proper market research, will contribute to an aspiring food
develop a technology that will help produce operator’s higher success rate as a leading enterprise in the hemp- and cannabis-related
CBD isolate or extracts containing less than food industry.
0.2% of THC so that they can be used as active
ingredients in food products. On August 27,
B.E.2564 (2021), a notification of the Ministry More Information Service Info C001
of Public Health, by virtue of the Food Act
B.E.2522 (1979), was issued to allow the
extracts with no less than 30% of CBD and no
more than 0.2% of THC by weight to be used
in food products, such as carbonated and
non-carbonated beverages, cereal drinks, and
tablet, capsule, and liquid food supplements.
Their CBD and THC contents must not exceed
75 and 0.15 mg/kg, respectively.
Apart from the inflorescence-derived
substances and CBD isolate, hempseeds are
also an appealing option for the food industry.
Hempseed oil is an excellent source of
essential fatty acids, such as omega-6 and
omega-3 fatty acids, with anti-inflammatory
and antioxidant properties and can reduce
blood cholesterol level.
The Hempseed-derived group of proteins
consists mainly of 60-80% edestin, while the
rest is albumin. Edestin can repair DNA,
improve the immune system, and assist in the
production of antibodies, hormones, and
enzymes. Albumin is a high-quality, easily
digestible, and antioxidant globular protein.
Hempseeds are a source of proteins that have
as high quality as those found in soybeans
and egg white. Hempseed proteins, rich in
essential amino acids and fibers, are widely
used to make food supplements, snacks,
smoothies, and other beverages.
Anyone interested in investing in hemp-
and cannabis-related food business should
first study the regulations concerning the
manufacturing and registering processes for
food products containing hemp or cannabis
parts. The additional factors that should be
taken into consideration are as follows: (1) the
standards of a manufacturing facility, such as
the control of THC and CBD contents in food
or beverage products that must comply with
the maximum limits specified by law; (2) origins
and strains of high-quality hemp and cannabis
raw materials, along with its volatile prices;
(3) advertisement and information provision

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