Hemp Foods in North America

Abstract

Abstract In 2005, hemp acreage in Canada has doubled to 8,000 ha, driven almost entirely by the growing demand for hemp foods and cosmetics in the North American market for natural products. To sustain that growth, members of the Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance (CHTA), which represents all relevant industry sectors, have initiated a comprehensive R&D and communication program on hemp foods. Its main goals are to comprehensively characterize the nutritional profile of seeds, nuts, oil and flour, across all commercially relevant hemp varieties grown in Canada, to assess the relevance of the established profiles to nutritional health, and to communicate results effectively to trade journalists and consumers. Initial characterization studies will assess amino acids and fatty acids, minerals, vitamins, and select phytochemicals. Subsequently, a panel of experts on nutritional health will assess the data and project potential health benefits. In a related project, the impact of processing and storage conditions on rancidity will be quantified and quality management strategies will be developed. The overall joint R&D agenda is funded by several Canadian government programs and by industry contributions.