Page 11 - Cannabis News March 2020

membership@theflhc.org
www.theflhc.org
833.4FL.HEMP
833.435.4367

After New State Hemp Program

Rules Went Into Effect Jan. 1, 2020,

FDACS Has Already Conducted

Approximately 125 Inspections of

Hemp Food Establishments

The Florida Hemp Council (FLHC), a foodborne illness. FDACS food safety "FDACS welcomes all feedback as we access to safe and high-quality CBD
nonprofit organization founded in 2019 inspectors not only conduct food estab- continue working hard to build this new products.
to provide structure, networking and lishment inspections, but also enforce industry from the ground up. Leadership FLHC's mission is to create a thriving
member services to the hemp industry in rules and pull samples for testing for the from groups like The Florida Hemp ecosystem aimed at catapulting the
Florida, is pleased to be working with the hemp program. Council is vital to ensuring we have the Florida hemp industry to the forefront as
Florida Department of Agriculture and As regulations on hemp extract used in information and input necessary to be leaders in hemp and hemp product pro-
Consumer Services (FDCAS), as the food and dairy products and animal feed successful," stated Holly Bell, Cannabis duction. It represents all channels of the
department has started its hemp food have been incorporated into existing Director for the Florida Department of state's economic engine, from farmers to
establishment inspections. Since Jan. 1, FDACS programs, FLHC which repre- Agriculture & Consumer Services. retailers and everyone in between, and
2020, food safety and animal feed rules sents all channels of the state's hemp In addition to the rules being provided helps members stay connected to each
for the new state hemp program under economic engine from farmers to retail- for CBD in food and dairy products, other. Members are privy to vibrant pro-
the FDACS went into effect, as the state ers and everyone in between provides applications for hemp food establish- grams which enhance their professional
of Florida recognizes hemp as a food. In feedback to the state. ment permits are available, and not lim- growth.
only the first week after the rules' intro- "Working with the state's hemp pro- ited in any part of the process. The state FLHC's goals are to keep licensing fees
duction, approximately 125 inspections gram while the new food safety and ani- regulator for animal feed, food establish- low, hold manufacturers to testing stan-
were conducted. mal feed rules and inspections have gone ments, and the safety of dairy and other dards, make sure all consumer disclo-
FDACS' Division of Food Safety is con- into effect has been a positive experience food products, FDACS has incorporated sures are properly labeled, promote con-
ducting routine inspections of food and true partnership," said FLHC Co- the regulation of hemp extract products tinued research, help guide farmers so
establishments including supermarkets, Founder and Director of Business into the current regulatory structure to they are not taken advantage of for their
grocery stores, convenience stores, food Development Jeff Greene. "We are guarantee the new products' safety. All of land by untrusted seed sellers, and pro-
processing plants, food warehouses, and pleased to provide feedback to the state, these actions are means to provide a new mote Florida manufacturing through
more in order to minimize the risk of and the state is listening." crop for farmers, and give Floridians state and local opportunities.

50 March 2020 cannabisnewsflorida.com Cannabis News Florida