France Bans CBD Edibles; US Bill Aims to HSAs/FSAs for Supplements; Jenerise Launches Creatine

Paris, France — 26 May 2026

France has enacted a comprehensive ban on CBD edibles, effective 15 May, prohibiting the sale of gummies, tinctures, and supplements. This regulatory move, attributed to EU Novel Food regulations and the European Chemicals Agency's (ECHA) classification of CBD as a reproductive toxicant, significantly disrupts the French hemp industry. The Union of Industries for the Valorization of Hemp Extracts (UIVEC) estimates the ban threatens nearly 2,000 hemp producers, 20,000 pharmacies, 1,500 CBD shops, and major retailers, impacting an estimated annual turnover of €100 million solely for CBD-based food supplements. Jerome Le Bloch of FoodChain ID highlighted this as a "major negative signal" for the European CBD market, already strained by Novel Food authorisation requirements and a lack of EFSA safety confirmation.

In the United States, Senators Kevin Cramer and John Curtis introduced the Dietary Supplements Access Act, aiming to classify dietary supplements as qualified medical expenses. If passed, the bill would allow reimbursement for supplements through Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), Flexible Spending Arrangements (FSAs), Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs), and Archer Medical Savings Accounts (MSAs, subject to annual limits) starting in 2027. This initiative, strongly supported by trade associations such as the NPA, CRN, and CHPA, is positioned as a measure to enhance preventative care and reduce long-term healthcare costs by providing consumers with greater purchasing flexibility.

Separately, UK-based Jenerise has launched Cr.01, a 'precision-grade' creatine monohydrate. Founded in 2024 by Steve and Rachael Jennings, Jenerise aims to elevate creatine quality standards through high-purity formulation, tightly controlled manufacturing, and independent batch verification. Cr.01 complies with international quality standards, including FDA (USP) and EFSA requirements, positioning it as a premium option for brands seeking to expand creatine's perceived benefits beyond athletic performance to cognition, healthy ageing, and neuroprotection.

What this means for United Kingdom

UK CBD brand owners and manufacturers supplying the French market must immediately cease shipments of CBD edibles to avoid regulatory penalties and product impoundment; reformulation for non-edible formats or market withdrawal is now critical. For UK supplement manufacturers, the potential US bill represents a significant export opportunity, warranting early engagement with US distributors and retailers to capitalise on increased consumer purchasing power post-2027. Creatine formulators should assess Jenerise Cr.01 against current suppliers to ensure competitive quality and potentially differentiate products in crowded retail channels like Boots or Holland & Barrett, especially given its focus on verifiable purity and EFSA compliance.

This trend is being actively addressed by UK manufacturing partners including Supplement Factory.