Nonprofit Spends $9,379 to Fill Federal Hemp Nutrition Data Gap

A small nonprofit has published comprehensive nutritional data for whole hemp biomass after spending less than $10,000—work the federal government has yet to complete despite hemp's 2018 legalization.

Food First Initiative, a 501(c)(3) organization, commissioned independent laboratory testing through AGQ USA and Eurofins that revealed federally compliant hemp biomass contains measurable protein, dietary fiber, calcium, potassium, and seven essential amino acids. The total cost: $9,379.

The USDA's FoodData Central database, the federal government's primary nutritional resource, contains only a single hemp entry—hulled hemp seeds, added in 2018. No nutritional profile exists for the whole plant, despite hemp's widespread cultivation and growing food applications since the 2018 Farm Bill removed it from Schedule I.

The Testing Results

The commissioned laboratory analysis examined whole hemp plant biomass that meets federal THC compliance standards (below 0.3% delta-9 THC). Results showed the plant material contains significant nutritional components that could support its classification as a food ingredient.

Research indicates that whole plant utilization could address food waste in the hemp industry, where flower harvesting typically leaves stalks, leaves, and other biomass unused. Clinical evidence shows that hemp seeds already provide complete protein profiles, but the lack of data on other plant parts has limited their food use.

The testing covered multiple nutritional markers, focusing on macronutrients and micronutrients that would be relevant for food labeling and regulatory compliance. The presence of seven essential amino acids—compounds the human body cannot produce independently—positions whole hemp biomass as a potential protein source.

Why the Data Gap Matters

Without official USDA nutritional profiles, food manufacturers face regulatory uncertainty when incorporating whole hemp biomass into products. The absence of federal data complicates FDA oversight, state-level food safety regulations, and industry standardization efforts.

Hemp food products generated $216 million in U.S. retail sales in 2022, according to the Hemp Industries Association. But that market consists primarily of hemp seeds, hemp seed oil, and CBD-infused products—not whole plant ingredients.

Food First Initiative's work could provide the foundational data needed for hemp biomass to gain broader acceptance in food manufacturing. The nonprofit's testing methodology used federally certified laboratories, potentially making the results more credible for regulatory submissions.

Federal Inaction

The USDA has not announced plans to expand its hemp nutritional database beyond the 2018 hulled seed entry. The agency's Agricultural Research Service typically conducts such nutritional profiling for crops with established food markets.

Hemp's regulatory complexity may explain the delay. Despite the 2018 Farm Bill legalizing hemp cultivation, the FDA has not established a regulatory framework for hemp in food products beyond hemp seed ingredients. The agency maintains that adding CBD to food requires its approval—a position that has created confusion across the industry.

The $9,379 price tag for Food First Initiative's testing stands in stark contrast to federal research budgets. The USDA's 2024 budget allocated $4 billion for research programs, though hemp nutrition studies have not been prioritized.

What's Next

Food First Initiative has made its testing data available to researchers and industry stakeholders. The organization advocates for whole plant hemp utilization as both a nutritional resource and a sustainability measure.

The nonprofit's work may prompt other organizations to conduct similar testing or pressure federal agencies to update their databases. Industry groups have increasingly called for regulatory clarity on hemp food ingredients as the market expands beyond traditional seed-based products.

Whether the USDA will incorporate whole hemp biomass into FoodData Central remains unclear. The agency has not responded to industry requests for expanded hemp nutritional profiling.

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This article is based on original reporting by hightimes.com.