French Regulation · 2026
Edible CBD banned in France: what you need to know before autumn 2026
Since May 15, 2026, France has banned the marketing of CBD in food form. The Conseil d'État refused to suspend the measure as an emergency, but has not yet ruled on the merits. We'll take stock, without shortcuts.
The French CBD market has recently experienced one of the most significant regulatory tightening in its recent history. Since May 15, 2026, some CBD products can no longer be sold in France as food. The industry immediately challenged the measure in administrative court, so far unsuccessfully. Here's what you need to know, and what could still change by the end of the year.
01What has been banned since May 15, 2026
product categories of CBD now banned from sale as food in France.
Since May 15, 2026, the following CBD products can no longer be marketed in France as food:
- Sublingual oils labeled as food supplements
- CBD capsules and softgels
- CBD gummies and candies
- CBD beverages
- CBD-infused teas
The measure does not target CBD in general: it specifically targets forms intended for ingestion and presented as food or food supplements.
02Why: the "Novel Food" status
The legal basis for this ban is not a specific French law on CBD, but the application of an existing European regulation: Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 on "novel foods". CBD was included in it in January 2019, which means it must obtain prior European authorization, issued after evaluation by EFSA (the European Food Safety Authority), before it can be legally sold as a food ingredient in the European Union.
In France, the Direction Générale de l'Alimentation (DGAL) has implemented a control plan to enforce this rule, notably relying on alerts from ANSM and Anses documenting contaminations and inaccurate labeling on some edible CBD products.
CBD still has no Novel Food authorization
The problem is not unique to France. In April 2026, EFSA rejected six new Novel Food authorization applications for CBD, isolates, synthetic forms, tinctures, and oils derived from Cannabis sativa. To date, no form of CBD has obtained Novel Food authorization at the European level, which explains why several member states, including France, are tightening their controls on edible forms.
Detailed source at the end of the article.03What remains legal in France
The ban of May 15, 2026, only concerns edible forms. Several categories of CBD products remain legal on the French market, subject to compliance with the specific regulations for each category:
CBD Flowers and Resins
Legal in France since the decision of the Conseil d'État of December 29, 2022, provided that the THC level is below 0.3%.
View CBD flowersCBD Cosmetics
Balms, massage oils: regulated by European Regulation 1223/2009, independently of CBD's food status.
View CBD cosmeticsCBD E-liquids and vapes
Subject to their own regulatory framework and not covered by the DGAL plan applicable to food products.
View CBD vapesUnderstand CBD
A comprehensive overview of CBD, its function, and its legal framework.
All about CBDThe particular case of our CBD oils: our The Green Lab and GreenLife oils are registered and marketed under cosmetic status, and not as food supplements. Therefore, they could, in principle, not fall within the scope of the DGAL control plan applicable to food products described above.
An important nuance: the classification of a product does not depend solely on its declared status, but also on its presentation and intended use. If you have any doubts about a specific product, our customer service can confirm its declared status before you order.
04The industry at the Conseil d'État: summary proceedings rejected
In response to this ban, the two main professional unions in the sector, UPCBD and SPC, filed a summary proceeding with the Conseil d'État, requesting an emergency suspension of the DGAL's control plan. On July 10, 2026, the judge in summary proceedings rejected this request.
The court notably observed that the control plan primarily blocked the issuance of new attestations, without leading to systematic and immediate seizures of existing stock. Important point: this decision does not judge the merits of the case. It only concerns the urgency of suspending the measure: the question of its actual legality remains open.
05The autumn 2026 deadline
A full review of the legality of the ban is expected in autumn 2026. This substantive judgment will have to examine the proportionality of the measure with regard to European law, and its articulation with the legal history of hemp in Europe, an area in which the CBD industry has already won several victories in recent years.
For professionals in the sector, this is therefore a period of waiting rather than certainty: the ban applies today, but there is no indication that it will be confirmed as is in a few months.
06What about Switzerland?
Switzerland also has regulations on novel foods. Cannabinoids such as CBD, as well as hemp extracts containing cannabinoids intended for food, are considered novel foods when significant consumption before May 15, 1997, cannot be demonstrated. Their marketing as food therefore requires authorization from the FSVO or recognized authorization from the European Commission.
The Swiss THC threshold set at 1% does not constitute a food authorization for CBD: it primarily concerns the distinction from products subject to drug legislation. Depending on their composition, presentation, and intended use, some CBD-containing products may, however, fall under other regulatory frameworks, notably cosmetics or chemical products.
For an order intended for France, the regulation applicable in the destination country must always be taken into account.
The Green Lab CBD Oils
Our oils are registered and marketed under cosmetic status. Therefore, in principle and to date, they could remain orderable from France, subject to the interpretation applicable to their presentation and use.
View CBD oilsSwiss CBD Flowers
Legal in France under the condition of THC < 0.3%, regardless of the country of production.
View CBD flowersIn plain terms: the fact that a product is manufactured or marketed from Switzerland does not bypass French food regulations. For our CBD oils registered as cosmetic products, their declared classification primarily places them outside the scope applicable to food supplements, but their presentation and actual use may also be taken into account by authorities.
Regulations evolve quickly, and the interpretation of a declared status may vary depending on controls. In case of doubt about a product or an order, our customer service can guide you, and we invite you to check what applies to your personal situation.
07Frequently asked questions
Can I still buy edible CBD oil in France?
No, since May 15, 2026, CBD oils labeled as food supplements, as well as CBD capsules, gummies, beverages, and infusions, can no longer be marketed in France.
Are CBD flowers affected by this ban?
No. Unprocessed CBD flowers and resins remain legal in France, provided their THC content is below 0.3%, in accordance with the Conseil d'État's decision of December 29, 2022.
What might change in autumn 2026?
The Conseil d'État must examine the substantive legality of the ban, beyond the simple question of urgency decided in July. This judgment could confirm, adjust, or annul all or part of the DGAL's control plan.
Is edible CBD banned throughout Europe?
No, the situation varies by country. The main issue stems from the absence, to date, of a European Novel Food authorization for CBD: each Member State applies this constraint with varying degrees of rigor.
Are your CBD oils affected by this ban?
Our The Green Lab oils are registered and marketed under cosmetic status, not as food supplements. Therefore, in principle and to date, they could remain outside the scope of the DGAL control plan applicable to food products. However, as the classification of a product can also depend on its presentation and intended use, this information does not constitute an absolute legal guarantee. If in doubt, contact our customer service before ordering.
08Further reading
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Contact our customer serviceSources cited
- Edible CBD banned in France since May 15, 2026. Herborisia, 2026. Read the article
- CBD legal in France 2026: Novel Food, DGAL plan, authorized forms. France Cannabidiol, 2026. Read the article
- Edible CBD: the Conseil d'État rejects the industry's summary application. L'Officiel des Métiers, July 13, 2026. Read the article
- EU continues CBD scrutiny, rejecting 6 more novel food applications. NutraIngredients, April 2026. Read the article
- Cannabis, hemp extracts and cannabinoids as food. Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO), Switzerland. Consult the official source
- Cannabidiol (CBD) in cosmetic products. Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO), Switzerland. Consult the official source
This article contains general information on regulation and does not constitute legal advice. The legal framework for CBD is evolving rapidly in France, Switzerland and Europe; for any specific questions related to your situation, consult a legal professional or the competent authorities. The cosmetic status mentioned for our CBD oils corresponds to their declared classification at the time of publication; regulatory classification may also depend on the product's presentation and intended use and does not constitute a guarantee of no import risk.
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