July 13, 2011 – A proposal to overturn a ban on the use of hemp seeds in food products in Australia could see the use of the staple in food products available in the country.

Lorraine Belanger, communication manager for Food Standards Australia and New Zealand said that the regulator had received an application for the use of low THC Hemp as food.

The application was made by Dr Andrew Katelaris, a medical research scientist & Hemp agronomist, in which he argued that Hemp seeds offer considerable benefits that are freely available to the rest of the world but Australia.

Katelaris’ application has received the backing of the Dietary Association of Australia (DAA) that in a submission to the regulator said it supported the use of hempseed and its oil for its nutritional merits.

The association, which is the national association of the dietetic profession with over 4000 members, recommended the adequate labelling and advertising of hemp foods to provide consumers with information to allay concerns regarding psychoactive properties relating to those foods.

Holly Smith, a spokesperson for the association said, that said that the seed contains protein and many vitamins and minerals, and is high in the content of fatty acids like omega 3 and omega 6.

According to FSANZ’s Belanger, the regulator is aware of the nutritional merits of Hemp seeds as a food rich in the essential fatty acids which are required for vital body functions, including the immune response, lipid hydrolysis, blood clotting, vascular dilation and cardiac function.

Belanger added that the regulator has previously assessed low-THC hemp foods under an application submitted in 1998, and it recommended the approval of low-THC hemp foods.

But the Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council rejected this decision in 2002, she said.

“The council expressed concerns that the availability of hemp foods may send a confused message to consumers regarding the acceptability and safety of Cannabis use and create difficulties for the policing of illicit Cannabis use,” she said.

Belanger said the Ministerial Council has requested a discussion of this new application at a face-to-face meeting, once FSANZ has completed its consideration of the Application. This is expected to occur next year.

According to DAA’s Smith, if approved for use in Australia, it would be up to food manufacturers to look into innovative ways of using hemp seeds in food products.

“In overseas countries, products like muesli bars and breakfast cereals contain hemp seeds. They could be added to salads or sprinkled onto breakfast cereals, or used in cooked foods like muffins,” she said. Source.

April 4, 2011 – HEMP-FLAVOURED ice cream, milk, butter and cereals may soon be available in your local supermarket.

Australia’s Health Minister Michelle O’Byrne has announced she will support an application to allow hemp foods to be sold in Australia.

The application is being considered by Food Standards Australia New Zealand, to allow the sale of foods made from hemp seeds and hemp oil.

Ms O’Byrne said she would support the application on the basis of the health benefits associated with hemp foods and the fact they do not have a drug-like effect.

Hobart naturopath Liila Hass said hemp foods could help improve brain health, hormonal balance and reduce the risk of heart problems.

“They’re full of protein and carry the important omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids,” she said.

“It’s hard to get omega 9 in foods. Hemp is one of the few foods that actually have omega 9. They’ve also got eight amino acids and loads of vitamins, minerals, fibre and carbohydrates.”

Ms Hass imports hemp seed from Canada to add to foods for her family, including salads, rice dishes and cereals.

“It’s got a kind of sweet nutty flavour and it’s slightly crunchy, so it’s got a nice texture,” she said.

“Most people would like the taste, definitely.”

Ms Hass said hemp products would initially battle a hippie connotation, but predicted they would eventually be sold in mainstream supermarkets.

Hemp products including snack bars, pasta, bread, pesto, sauces, salad dressings and chocolate are widely available in New Zealand, Canada and the US, despite the fact it’s illegal to grow hemp in America.

Tasmanian hemp grower Philip Reader said approving the sale of hemp foods would lead to some deregulation in the industry, opening new markets for growers.

“It will take some of the impediments out of licensing, which will make it easier to grow and we’ll be able to sell it to whoever we want to sell it to,” he said.

Mr Reader, president of the Industrial Hemp Association of Tasmania, said growers were turning down business because they weren’t legally able to supply their product.

“We’ve had requests from the racing pigeon industry inquiring about the meal, for use overseas,” he said. “We’ve had inquiries from airlines looking to use the fibre in airline seats because it’s such a strong, lightweight fibre.”

Mr Reader said the horse racing industry was interested in using hemp by-products for bedding in stables, because it’s more absorbent than straw.

The food standards authority is seeking public comment for the application to allow the sale of hemp food products. Source.