General food label rules apply to hemp seed
If your food is hemp seed or contains hemp seed, you must follow the general food labelling rules.
Introduction to labelling and composition rules
But there are also some extra labelling rules for these products.
What you can't put on the label of a food containing hemp seeds
Your label must not:
- include the words "cannabis", "marijuana", or words that mean the same thing
- include an image of any part of the Cannabis sativa plant, except the seed
- imply that the product could alter mood, behaviour, or cause hallucinations
- make any nutrition or health claim about cannabidiol (CBD)
- give the concentration of CBD.
These rules also apply to advertising and marketing hemp seed, including online.
Find out more
A guide to labelling food containing hemp seeds
A guide to hemp seeds as food – What’s allowed for food use and how to label it [PDF, 639 KB]
Who to contact
If you have questions about labelling requirements for hemp seeds, email info@mpi.govt.nz
