WARNING LETTER
Apex Hemp Oil LLC
MARCS-CMS 592691 —
November 22, 2019
Delivery Method:
Via Overnight Delivery
Product:
Animal & Veterinary
Recipient:
Recipient Name
JT Taylor
Recipient Title
Owner
Apex Hemp Oil LLC
615 SW Umatilla Ave
Redmond
,
OR
97756
United States
Issuing Office:
Center for Veterinary Medicine
12225 Wilkins Avenue
Rockville
,
MD
20852
United States
Dear JT Taylor,
This letter is to advise you that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviewed your website at
apexhempoil.com
in October, 2019 and has determined that you take orders there for the products "Apex CBD Livestock Pellets", "Apex Organic K9 Oil", "Apex CBD Dog Treats", "CBD Lip Therapy", "CBD Hemp Lotion", "CBD Hemp Oil",
"
CBD Chocolate Bar," and "CBD Hemp Protein Powder," all of which you promote as products containing cannabidiol (CBD). FDA has determined that your "Apex CBD Livestock Pellets", "Apex Organic K9 Oil", and "Apex CBD Dog Treats" products are unapproved new animal drugs that are unsafe under section 512(a) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the FD&C Act), 21 U.S.C. 360b(a), and adulterated under section 501(a)(5) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 351(a)(5). The claims on your website also establish that your "CBD Lip Therapy", "CBD Hemp Lotion", and "CBD Hemp Oil" are unapproved new drugs sold in violation of sections 505(a) and 301(d) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 355(a) and 331(d). Furthermore, FDA has determined that your "CBD Chocolate Bar" and "CBD Hemp Protein Powder" products are adulterated under section 402(a)(2)(C)(i) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 342(a)(2)(C)(i), because they bear or contain an unsafe food additive. Furthermore, it is a prohibited act to introduce your "CBD Chocolate Bar" and "CBD Hemp Protein Powder" products into interstate commerce under section 301(ll) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 331(ll).
As explained further below, introducing or delivering these products for introduction into interstate commerce violates the FD&C Act. You can find the FD&C Act and FDA regulations through links on FDA’s home page at
www.fda.gov
. You can find specific information about how FDA regulates CBD at
https://www.fda.gov/news-events/public-
health-focus/fda-regulation-cannabis-and-cannabis-derived-products-including-cannabidiol-cbd
.
Unapproved New Animal Drugs
During our review of your firm’s website
apexhempoil.com
, FDA determined that your firm is marketing the unapproved new animal drugs "Apex CBD Livestock Pellets", "Apex Organic K9 Oil", and "Apex CBD Dog Treats." Based on our review of your website, your "Apex CBD Livestock Pellets", "Apex Organic K9 Oil", and "Apex CBD Dog Treats" are drugs under section 201(g)(1) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 321(g)(1), because they are intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in animals and/or intended to affect the structure or any function of the body of animals. Further, as discussed below, these products are unapproved new animal drugs and marketing them violates the FD&C Act.
Examples of claims observed on your website
apexhempoil.com
that establish the intended use of your products as drugs include, but may not be limited to, the following:
On your product webpage for "Apex CBD Livestock Pellets":
• "Adding Apex CBD Pellets to your livestock has been known to help fight infection and inflammation reducing the need for steroids and antibiotics…"
• "Ideal for farriers, trainers and large-animal veterinarians alike, CBD Hemp Oil is recommended in the following applications:
o
General equine anxiety
o
Hauling – transporting
o
Daily overall health supplement
o
Managing aches + pains
o
Arthritis & joint discomfort
o
Behavior modification
o
Training Aid
o
Show anxiety..."
On the product label for "Apex Organic K9 Oil" displayed on your product webpage for "Apex Organic K9 Oil":
•
"
PAIN RELIEF"
On the product label for "Apex CBD Dog Treats" displayed on your product webpage for "Apex CBD Dog Treats":
• "Medicated / Anxiety / Calming / Inflammation / Veterinarian Approved"
These products are "new animal drugs" under section 201(v) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 321(v), because they are not generally recognized, among experts qualified by scientific training and experience to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of animal
drugs, as safe and effective for use under the conditions prescribed, recommended, or suggested in the labeling.
To be legally marketed, a new animal drug must have an approved new animal drug application, conditionally approved new animal drug application, or index listing under sections 512, 571, and 572 of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 360b, 360ccc, and 360ccc-l. These products are not approved or index listed by the FDA, and therefore these products are considered unsafe under section 512(a) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 360b(a), and adulterated under section 501(a)(5) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 351(a)(5). Introduction of these adulterated drugs into interstate commerce is prohibited under section 301(a) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 331(a).
301(ll) and Adulterated Animal Foods
Moreover, to the extent that you market any of your products containing CBD as animal food, you should be aware that it is a prohibited act under section 301(ll) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 331(ll), to introduce or deliver for introduction into interstate commerce any food, including animal food, to which has been added a drug approved under section 505 of the FD&C Act or for which substantial clinical investigations have been instituted and for which the existence of such investigations has been made public. Based on available evidence, FDA has concluded that the prohibition in section 301(ll) applies to CBD.
1
There is an exception if the substance was marketed in food before the drug was approved or before the substantial clinical investigations involving the drug had been instituted. However, based on available evidence, FDA has concluded that this is not the case for CBD. FDA is not aware of any evidence that would call into question its current conclusion that section 301(ll) of the FD&C Act prohibits the introduction into interstate commerce of any animal food to which CBD has been added, but you may present FDA with any evidence bearing on this issue.
You should also be aware that, as defined in section 201(s) of the FD&C Act (21 U.S.C. 321(s)), the term "food additive" refers to any substance the intended use of which results in its becoming a component of any animal food, unless the substance is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) among qualified experts under the conditions of its intended use, or unless the substance meets a listed exception.
2
There is no animal food additive regulation that authorizes the use of CBD. We are not aware of any information to indicate that CBD is the subject of a prior sanction (i.e., a sanction or approval granted prior to the enactment of the Food Additives Amendment of 1958 under the FD&C Act, the Poultry Products Inspection Act, or the Meat Inspection Act). Furthermore, we are not aware of any basis to conclude that CBD is GRAS for use in animal foods. FDA’s regulations in 21 CFR 570.30(a)-(c) describe the criteria for eligibility for classification of an animal food ingredient as GRAS. The use of an animal food substance may be GRAS based on either scientific procedures or, for a substance used in animal food before 1958, through experience based on common use in animal food (see 21 CFR 570.30). We know of no basis for general recognition of safety for CBD based either on scientific procedures or common use in animal food prior to January 1, 1958. Based on our review of the publicly available literature, the data and information necessary to support the safe use of CBD in animal foods are lacking. In fact, literature reports have raised safety concerns for animals consuming CBD, including, but not limited to, male reproductive toxicity and liver toxicity. Therefore, based on our review, the use of CBD in animal products does not satisfy the criteria for GRAS status under 21 CFR 570.30.
Under section 409 of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 348, an animal food additive is deemed unsafe unless it is approved by FDA for its intended use prior to marketing. CBD is not approved for use in any animal food. Animal food containing an unsafe food additive within the meaning of section 409 is adulterated within the meaning of section 402(a)(2)(C)(i) of the FD&C Act. Introduction of an adulterated animal food into interstate commerce is prohibited under section 301(a) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 331(a).
Unapproved New Drugs
Based on our review of your website, your "CBD Lip Therapy", "CBD Hemp Lotion", and "CBD Hemp Oil" products are drugs under section 201(g)(1) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 321(g)(1), because they are articles intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease and/or intended to affect the structure or any function of the body.
Examples of claims observed on your website
apexhempoil.com
in September 2019 that establish the intended use of your products as drugs include, but may not be limited to, the following:
On your product webpage for "CBD Lip Therapy":
• "Apex CBD Lip Therapy helps cells regenerate…"
On your product webpage for "CBD Hemp Lotion":
• "Apex CBD lotion is the answer for sore muscle aches."
On your product webpage for "CBD Hemp Oil":
• "Apex Hemp Oil balances the mind and body by promoting natural healing through the endocannabinoid system."
Your "CBD Lip Therapy", "CBD Hemp Lotion", and "CBD Hemp Oil" products are not generally recognized as safe and effective for the above referenced uses; therefore, these products are "new drugs" under section 201(p) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 321(p). New drugs may not be legally introduced or delivered for introduction into interstate commerce without prior approval from the FDA, as described in sections 301(d) and 505(a) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 331(d) and 355(a). FDA approves a new drug on the basis of scientific data and information demonstrating that the drug is safe and effective. There are no FDA-approved applications in effect for any of the above-named products.
301(ll) and Adulterated Human Foods
Furthermore, it is a prohibited act under section 301(ll) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 331(ll), to introduce or deliver for introduction into interstate commerce any food to which has been added a drug approved under section 505 of the FD&C Act or for which substantial clinical investigations have been instituted and for which the existence of such investigations has been made public. Based on available evidence, FDA has concluded that the prohibition in section 301(ll) applies to CBD, as described above.
According to your product labeling, your "CBD Chocolate Bar" and "CBD Hemp Protein Powder" products are foods to which CBD has been added. Therefore, the introduction or delivery for introduction into interstate commerce of those products is a prohibited act under section 301(ll) of the FD&C Act.
Furthermore, as defined in section 201(s) of the FD&C Act, the term "food additive" refers to any substance the intended use of which results in its becoming a component of any food, unless the substance is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) among qualified experts under the conditions of its intended use, or unless the substance meets a listed exception, as set forth above.
Food additives require premarket approval based on data demonstrating safety. Any food additive that has not been approved for its intended use in food is deemed to be unsafe under section 409(a) of the FD&C Act (21 U.S.C. 348(a)), and causes the food to be adulterated under section 402(a)(2)(C)(i) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 342(a)(2)(C)(i). Introduction of an adulterated food into interstate commerce is prohibited under section 301(a) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 331(a).
There is no food additive regulation which authorizes the use of CBD. We are not aware of any information to indicate that CBD is the subject of a prior sanction (see 21 CFR
Part 181). Furthermore, we are not aware of any basis to conclude that CBD is GRAS for use in conventional foods. FDA’s regulations in 21 CFR 170.30(a)-(c) describe the criteria for eligibility for classification of a food ingredient as GRAS. The use of a food substance may be GRAS based on either scientific procedures or, for a substance used in food before 1958, through experience based on common use in food (see 21 CFR 170.30).
We know of no basis for general recognition of safety for CBD based either on scientific procedures or common use in food prior to January 1, 1958. Based on our review of published, scientific literature, existing data and information do not provide an adequate basis to conclude that the use of CBD in food meets the criteria for GRAS status. Many unanswered questions and data gaps about CBD toxicity exist, and some of the available data raise serious concerns about potential harm from CBD. Our review of publicly available data associated with the one FDA-approved CBD drug, as well as our review of published scientific literature, identified potential for liver injury from CBD and potentially harmful interactions with certain drugs. In addition, studies in animals have shown that CBD can interfere with the development and function of testes and sperm, decrease testosterone levels, and impair sexual behavior in males. Therefore, based on our review, the use of CBD in your products does not satisfy the criteria for GRAS status under 21 CFR 170.30.
FDA is not aware of any other exception to the food additive definition that would apply to CBD for use as an ingredient in a conventional food. Therefore, CBD added to a conventional food is a food additive under section 201(s) of the FD&C Act and is subject to the provisions of section 409 of the FD&C Act. Under section 409, a food additive is deemed unsafe unless it is approved by FDA for its intended use prior to marketing. CBD is not approved for use in any conventional food. Food containing an unsafe food additive within the meaning of section 409 is adulterated within the meaning of section 402(a)(2)(C)(i) of the FD&C Act. Therefore, your "CBD Chocolate Bar" and "CBD Hemp Protein Powder" products are adulterated within the meaning of section 402(a)(2)(C)(i) of the FD&C Act. Introduction of these adulterated foods into interstate commerce is prohibited under section 301(a) of the FD&C Act, 21 U.S.C. 331(a).
The violations cited in this letter are not intended to be an all-inclusive statement of violations that exist in connection with your marketed products. You are responsible for investigating and determining the causes of the violations identified above and for preventing their recurrence or the occurrence of other violations. It is your responsibility to ensure that your firm complies with all requirements of federal law, including FDA regulations.
You should take prompt action to correct the violations cited in this letter. Failure to promptly correct these violations may result in legal action without further notice, including, without limitation, seizure and injunction.
Please notify FDA in writing, within fifteen working days of receipt of this letter, of the specific steps you have taken to correct these violations. Include an explanation of each step being taken to prevent the recurrence of violations, as well as copies of related documentation. If you believe that your products are not in violation of the FD&C Act,
include your reasoning and any supporting information for our consideration. If you cannot complete corrective action within fifteen working days, state the reason for the delay and the time within which you will complete the correction.
Your response should be sent to Eric Nelson, United States Food and Drug Administration, Center for Veterinary Medicine, Office of Surveillance and Compliance, Division of Compliance, MPN4, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, MD 20852 or by email to
Eric.Nelson@fda.hhs.gov.
Sincerely,
/S/
Eric Nelson
Director of Compliance
Office of Surveillance & Compliance
Center for Veterinary Medicine
Food and Drug Administration
/S/
Donald D. Ashley
Director
Office of Compliance
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
Food and Drug Administration
/S/
William A. Correll Jr.
Director
Office of Compliance
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
Food and Drug Administration
1
CBD is the active ingredient in the approved drug product Epidiolex. Furthermore, the existence of substantial clinical investigations regarding CBD has been made public. For example, two such substantial clinical investigations include GW Pharmaceuticals’ investigations regarding Sativex and Epidiolex. (See
Sativex Commences US Phase II/III Clinical Trial in Cancer Pain
and
GW Pharmaceuticals Receives Investigational New Drug (IND) from FDA for Phase 2/3 Clinical Trial of Epidiolex in the Treatment of Dravet Syndrome
). FDA considers a substance to be "authorized for investigation as a new drug" if it is the subject of an Investigational New Drug application (IND) that has gone into effect. Under 21 CFR 312.2, unless a clinical investigation meets the limited criteria in that regulation, an IND is required for all clinical investigations of products that are subject to section 505 of the FD&C Act.
2
Under section 201(s) of the FD&C Act (21 U.S.C. 321(s)), the following types of substances are excluded from the food additive definition: (1) pesticide chemical residues in or on a raw agricultural commodity or processed food, (2) pesticide chemicals, (3) color additives, (4) substances used in accordance with a "prior sanction" (i.e., a sanction or approval granted prior to the enactment of the Food Additives Amendment of 1958 under the FD&C Act, the Poultry Products Inspection Act, or the Meat Inspection Act), (5) new animal drugs, and (6) dietary ingredients in or intended for use in a dietary
supplement. If a new animal drug is unsafe within the meaning of section 512 because it is not approved for use in animal food, then the animal food is adulterated under section 402(a)(2)(C)(ii) of the FD&C Act.
Content current as of:
11/25/2019
Regulated Product(s)
Animal & Veterinary