In Australia and New Zealand, Application A1039 to allow Hemp Foods for consumption is still being considered. Both Food Standards and the Food Authority seem confused about the decision being delayed by The COAG Forum chaired by Julia Gillard, the Australian Premier. Although most authorities are confident for change, we Hemp Foods Australia would like to clarify that:

1) We manufacture and sell hemp oil, hemp seeds and hemp protein for external use only (cosmetic ingredients) – and for export only.

2) We can sell you product on the explicit understanding that we are not selling to you as a food and that you agree to this.

We are in the process of changing our packaging on our seeds and protein to add (an expensive process) labelling clearly both on the front and back – the intended uses of these products as permitted by law. Apparently an extra sticker saying not for human consumption was not clear enough!

This is in direct response to the Australian Authority who have warned us that we risk our business of employing numerous local people whose families now rely on the income generated by Hemp Foods Australia, the local farmers who were starting to feel some hope of an alternative to sugar cane farming that is no longer viable for them, as well as the hundreds of in-direct business’ that benefit directly from the business generated for the good of the Australian people.

A new petition has been launched on the front page of Hemp Foods Australia to support this cause.

In accordance with clause 1 of the Food Standards Code 1.4.4, Hemp Foods Australia Pty Ltd does not sell and will not supply prohibited food products, in accordance with the Food Standards Code and NSW Food Act 2003. Although hemp foods are allowed for use in North America and Europe, Hemp foods are not allowed for sales as a food in Australia and New Zealand (except for hemp oil in NZ). In no way do we intend to mis-lead our customers about the use of products being sold by us. Our hemp seeds, hemp protein powder and hemp oil are ONLY to be purchased if you understand they may be used for external use only or exported to a country where consumption is legal. By purchasing products from us you agree to these terms.

“We are using as much Australian grown hemp seed as we can get our hands on.” states Managing Director Paul Benhaim. Although Hemp Foods Australia grows industrial hemp under Government license, they have been unable to keep up with demand. “We are actively looking to expand contracts to support more Australian farmers.” The only thing stopping the Company is their requirement for Australian Certified Organic land for their organic hemp seed requirements, as their facility is now based on 100% certified organic production.

The potential use of hemp seed as a food source in Australia is expected to increase the rate of our already growing Australian labour force.

Hemp Foods Australia, a pioneer in the Australian hemp food industry since 1999 have announced a record year in 2012 and foresee exponential growth in 2013.

Recently Hemp Foods Australia has slashed the price of their products to celebrate their new production. Price reductions include 30% discount for their hemp oil. When asked if they can sustain these prices, Finance Manager Philip Favaro states “As we no longer import finished products we are able to reduce our costs which we are choosing to pass directly onto the consumer. This way we offer Australian’s an opportunity to rely less on imports and more on supporting an Australian hemp industry.”

Giving Australian farmers an opportunity to grow something other than sugar cane or cattle that is also organic and sustainable leaves the feeling of hope for this purpose built hemp seed processing factory.

If you are a farmer interested in cultivating hemp seed on organic certified land then please register your interest via the contact page at www.hempfoods.com.au

Contact Hemp Foods Australia: 02 6687 1260

It is with some sadness that the COAG committee met and did not vote on allowing hemp as a food today.

The positive is that they also did not say no. They want to review all the evidence and submissions, rather than take their own Government agencies advice again (FSANZ).

So, what does this mean for us? Not much right now. The police opposition seem to have made unsubstantiated claims based on the assumption that hemp food consumption would interfere with saliva testing swabs. It appears Australia is the only country that employs oral fluid testing despite all the evidence pointing to reliability and forensic issues. And all this whilst North America and their multiple hundreds of millions of dollar hemp foods economy realises that the medical variety (also now being reconsidered here in Australia) may actually be of benefit to some people also. Despite the superior nutritional benefits of hemp seeds omega 3, 6 and 9, lack of allergens and high quality protein content Australia & New Zealand continues to stand out amongst the world in their lack of understanding.

This year The Department of Trade and Investment awarded our company, Hemp Foods Australia with a Grant to establish a hemp food production facility. This 100% Australian Certified Organic facility will continue to produce hemp seed based products for export or not for human consumption in Australia.

So, for now let us celebrate in the understanding that it is unlikely the Police’s thoughts do not undermine the facts provided by FSANZ and health authorities to the benefits of hemp foods. Let us end this year knowing we are supporting a hemp industry that next year will continue to grow and employ many Australian’s from farmers to processors, transporters, distributors retailers – as well as providing a sustainable crop for bio-plastics, fibre, paper, building and fuelling Australia’s economy without mining our land.

While you can: buy hemp seeds, hemp oil and hemp protein *not for human consumption* in Australia and New Zealand only. You may purchase in this country if you use for your skin, your garden or taking overseas. We will not ask you for proof as we trust you will do the right thing.

Watch this hemp blog and keep up to date with the latest hemp news.

The long report with many attachments include references from Paul Benhaim’s www.startahempbusiness.com, may be read at http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/foodstandards/applications/applicationa1039lowt4708.cfm

We are not home yet. We still have the COAG committee decisionto go now. Expected December though could be early January- they have 60 days from November 2nd 2012. As the last country to do something, let’s hope for logic and reasoning to prevail to support Australian agriculture and manufacturing.

Better late than never. Just 15 years behind most other countries.

More updates at 
http://www.hempfoods.com.au/legislation/

Hemp Foods have long been known for their nutritional benefits, unlike their cousin cannabis’ medicinal effects. “You could smoke a field of it and would not get high,” confirms Sheia K Kironn, dispatch manager for Australian company Hemp Foods Australia. Currently the manufacture and sale of hemp seeds, hemp oil and hemp protein – as long as it does not contain TetraHydraCannabinbol or THC (the drug ingredient found in cannabis) is legal in Australia as long as they are not used or sold for human consumption. These hemp products are exported to many countries around the world where hemp foods are legal. The products are also sold in Australia and New Zealand for external use only such as in cosmetic production.

In Europe and North America the market for hemp foods is over $300 million per year*1, and Australia has potential to gain a significant proportion of this market share. And the Federal Government seems to believe Australian companies have the know-how to make this happen.

Northern Rivers Company Hemp Foods Australia received a significant grant from the Department of Trade and Investment announced by Acting Premier Andrew Stoner*2  to assist with the setup of a state of the art hemp foods production plant in Bangalow, Northern New South Wales. The plant designed by author and hemp consultant Paul Benhaim is based upon 15 years of experience in the industry and will contribute to the employment of at least 11 people in the new factory and many more subsequently.

Factory Production Manager Martin Ernegg, the inventor of a hemp based bio-plastic called Zelfo*3 is currently building the food-grade factory at the 1000sq.m facility in Bangalow, Northern New South Wales. “We are preparing our facility for export production and hope that the COAG committee will vote positively so we can grow further to support local Australian industry.”

Although Australia is still one of the very few countries in the western world to not allow hemp as a food, this is expected to change in legislation being voted on in December. A report by FSANZ*4 is expected within the next week to support the legislation. FSANZ, previously ANZFA supported the introduction of hemp as a food in 2002*5

Until that time Hemp Foods Australia*6 manufactures Australian Certified Organic hemp seeds, hemp oil and hemp protein for export and sale within Australia as ‘not for human consumption’. “We look forward to moving our sales focus to Australian food manufacturer’s such as bakeries, cereal and snack food companies when the legislation allows us – hopefully by the end of this year.” confirms Managing Director Paul Benhaim

Meanwhile, “Sales for the Company have been growing month after month.” explains Felipe Favaro, Finance Manager for Hemp Foods Australia, since Paul Benhaim our local and global hemp expert founded the company 18 months ago. Previously Paul introduced hemp foods into Europe and created a multi-million dollar industry that continues successfully today*7. “Due to fear of unsupportive legislation Australia has been held back for many years now, but that looks like it is change.” Paul states positively.

Hemp Foods Australia has various licenses from the Australian Government’s Department of Primary Industries and Department of Health And Ageing to allow importation and growing of industrial hemp. Last years crops in Mullumbimby and Byron Bay by a sister Company The Hemp Farm*8 led to varietal trial results leading to further crops this year. “This season we have been approved by the Department of Primary Industries to grow industrial hemp with, amongst others – the local Byronshire Council as a small trial.

Further Information

Learn more about the nutritional benefits of hemp seeds, hemp oil and hemp protein now being produced in Bangalow including free recipes (so you know how to use them when legal) at www.hempfoods.com.au

Learn more about the farming aspects of hemp at www.hempfarm.com.au

Learn more about the potential of the hemp industry at www.startahempbusiness.com

References

*1 Congressional Research Service, Hemp As An Agricultural Commodity

http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RL32725.pdf 

*2 http://www.northernstar.com.au/news/northern-rivers-jobs-plan-gets-funding/1604317/ and  http://www.echonews.com.au/news/new-jobs-for-the-region/1604260/

*3 www.hempplastic.com

*4 Application A1039 Low THC Hemp as a Food

http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/foodstandards/applications/applicationa1039lowt4708.cfm

*5 Application A360 Hemp as a Food http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/foodstandards/applications/applicationa360hempasanovelfood/

*6 Hemp Foods Australia – legislation http://www.hempfoods.com.au/legislation/

*7 About Paul Benhaim http://thehempbuilder.com/about-me

*8 Hemp Farm http://www.hempfarm.com.au

A new 20 minute hemp documentary production from Byron Bay! In this video you can learn from Hemp Historian Dr John Jiggins, Hemp Foods Australia CEO Paul Benhaim and Planet Fibre’s Shaun Bailey. In this video you see a lot of never before seed footage including some hemp harvesting at farms Paul has been involved with. Hope you will enjoy and share! Watch Part 1 here with Dr John and Part 2 here with Paul and Shaun. Also watch this for a 14 second take on where hemp foods are legal

Hemp Oil Capsules – better taste

People around the world are loving consuming hemp oil capsules, though in Australia it is for external use only, for the omega 3,6 and 9 content. Even though the taste is far better than flax or fish oill, some people really just don’t like consuming oils no matter how they taste. So, for those people we have been supplying hemp oil capsules – a revolutionary product that keeps the extra virgin cold-pressed oils safe and secure. Interested? Have a look at our large size value packs available at http://shop.hempfoods.com.au/products-page/hemp-oil/hemp-oil-capsules-240x1000mg/

Hemp Gets Media Attention

If you haven’t already seen it – there was an excellent 4 page article on Hemp Foods Australia and the current Australian situation. You can read up on this by viewing the link on our FAQ page under “What are the media saying about Hemp Foods Australia”.

Affiliate Program

We just had to share this again as some are reporting excellent sales in our newly launched Affiliate program. If you are as passionate about quality nutrition and abundant healthy living as us, and want to share your love of hemp foods with others, or are you just someone looking to make a little extra cash? You may join the Hemp Foods Australia affiliate team today. Join now, it’s free!

Welcome!

Welcome new members of our team Hemp Foods Australia would like to thank the hundreds of applicants to our recent job offerings. It is great to know there is so much talent in Australia and hope to grow with more of you soon. We welcome to our new team members Tiffani (joining Sheia and I in the office), Felipe(he’s our numbers man – trying to help us reduce prices for you) and Martin(our Production Manager) to our office and production factory. More on our new team members in the next Hemp Update.

Stay in touch with hemp updates direct from Hemp Foods Australia

Will hemp seed grow into the sustainable crop it is known for? Tasmania plastic manufacturers. Listen to the full broadcast at ABC Rural *2 look to use hemp for plastic *3 while other fibre uses are expected to support the industry with new machinery technology.

Recent overseas plant technology has shown that, although hemp contains minute amounts of the drug ingredient THC (0.3% – or enough that you could smoke a field of it and all you would get would be a headache) – there is a future when 100% zero THC will be included in the plant. Read more here at The Producer *4

Hemp seeds is known to be a superior source of protein – a plant based protein that contains all 10 essential amino acids, as well as being a well balanced source of Omega-3, Omega-6 and Omega-9 essential fatty acids.

Hemp Foods Australia has, since 1999, been preparing to market a high quality range of hemp food products with marketing such as the following. Note: This is NOT for distribution as hemp foods are not yet legal in Australia.

Learn more about Hemp Foods at http://www.hempfoods.com.au

Learn more about Australian hemp farming at http://www.hempfarm.com.au 

l*1 http://www.abc.net.au/rural/tas/content/2012/07/s3553362.htm?site=hobart

*2 http://www.abc.net.au/rural/tas/content/2012/07/s3554282.htm?site=northtas

*3 http://www.hempplastic.com

*4 http://www.producer.com/2012/07/removing-the-high-from-hemp%E2%80%A9/

In Europe and North America one can walk into virtually any supermarket and find, you guessed it – hemp seeds. Why? Is it because people are trying to make a dollar pretending hemps seeds are a drug like some of our Australian Ministers would like you to believe, or are they really trying to promote a seed that contains:

• Protein – 33%. More easily digestible than soy or whey. Containing all 10 Essential Amino Acids.
• Omega 3, 6 and 9 Essential Fatty Acids. In proportions that are ideal for human consumption and far more balanced than Flax Seed or Fish Oils?
• GLA – not found in many plant sources, except evening primrose oil.

Hemp seeds are VEGAN, GLUTEN FREE, RAW and 100% plant based. And more to the point – they TASTE GREAT.

So why are hemp seeds, hemp oil and hemp protein not yet legal in Australia? Representative Cynthia Thielen, a more enlightened Government member describes her take on allowing hemp and it giving a mixed message here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DatJgJvD6gY and also goes so far as to report on what some say is controversial, and more now say is fact: maybe there is a conflict of interest somewhere else? See Cynthia’s take on that here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heRdhAniJsQ

FSANZ is currently completing it’s final report to the Ministerial COAG committee who are expected to vote to allow, or not allow hemp seed and it’s by products as food here in Australia this December.

Until that time, if you got the munchies then chemical filled junk food with trans fats and preservatives are far more accessible than a pure, natural, plant based superfood as hemp. Unless you move overseas to a truly GREEN country.

Editors Note:

Hemp seeds, hemp oil and hemp protein are currently allowed for sale in Australia for Non-Human consumption. Most customers either rub it on their skin, feed their pets or soil. Or take it overseas and consume it freely.

More  on legislation and other hemp food matters at www.hempfoods.com.au

Hemp Drinks

Both of which are available at the hemp foods shop. All of which are not sold for human consumption. They are for export where you can legally consume these healthy natural products, or for keeping on your Australian shelf to show your friends what you could be eating if our Australian Ministers would support our country joining the rest of the world in allowing hemp as a food.

You may watch the TV show at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KdGZRla0_4

FSANZ have recently delayed their final report to the Ministerial COAG committe until the end of the year, so until that time you may only buy hemp seeds and hemp seed by-products for external use only. 

Industrial hemp continues to be grown succesfully throughout Australia (under Government license). A recent hemp farm harvest has produced hemp seeds. These hemp seeds may be pressed into oil or used to produce hulled hemp seeds and hemp protein. Hemp Foods Australia expects to create a significant amount of jobs in the industrial hemp industry, both from farming, processing through to manufacture, marketing and distributing of a range of products including hemp milk, hemp pasta, hemp snack bars are more.

When you are next on holiday, do enjoy the nutritional benefits of hemp seeds:

• High in digestibal protein. The seeds contain 33% protein and the protein powder much higher. The protein in hemp is highly digestible and contains a wide range of amino acids. Body-builders and athletes use vegan protein powders such as hemp around the world.
• Perfect balance of essential fatty acids – omega 3, omega 6 and omega 9. Rather than buying blends, or mixing evening primrose oil, fish oils and flax seed oil, you may now just use one naturally nature’s balanced seed source – hemp seed that contains the perfect balance required for human consumption

Public submission for the hemp foods legislation has ended and now it is time for the Ministers to ‘do the right thing’. If you are interested in financially supporting lobbying and PR efforts which we need between now and June – please let me know.

I am presenting a talk in North Ryde, Sydney next Monday evening, 27th February. It’s free – so bring a friend! Appreciate RSVP so we have an idea of numbers – just send an email telling me you are coming. Details on attached flyer.

Whilst being busy with hemp foods developments, hemp plastics continues to evolve and nature does not stop with harvesting Australian hemp seeds time here. Hope you enjoy these fun pictures. Thanks for those that came along to help – it has been very fun! Personally I love being in with the crops, laying on the freshly picked flowers.

We still have a way to go to provide enough seed for all our needs and many people ask about growing. I highly recommend Growing Hemp For Profit as the ultimate guide to growing, should this be of interest to you.

Hempfully yours,

Paul