Peoria County health staff say THC 'hemp drinks' fall outside local food rules, refer cases to state

Monica, a Board of Health representative, told the Peoria County Health Committee that THC-containing hemp drinks are not treated as food additives under current federal and state frameworks and therefore often fall outside local retail-food enforcement. "THC hemp drinks are considered unapproved additives, so it's not considered a food product," she said, noting the FDA must approve food additives or declare them generally recognized as safe.

Monica described a jurisdictional tangle: the 2018 Farm Bill opened hemp use but did not authorize food uses, some states have created regulatory responses under alcohol commissions, and many of the products sold in Peoria County are manufactured out of state. "Because they're not manufactured here, IDPH is not involved," she said, explaining that manufacturing oversight sits with state regulators and these interstate transfers often bring the issue under federal review.

Locally, staff said the usual response is education and referral: inspectors will notify retail establishments about unapproved additives and, if necessary, refer cases to the state for enforcement or disposal. "All we really do is we do referrals to the state," Monica said. She also noted the public can be confused because supplement-style labels sit beside food items on store shelves.

The official said regional directors are working on a one-page guidance for local governments and that Kane County's approach — communicating with establishments and their suppliers — is a model being followed. Committee members asked how retailers should proceed; Monica advised they contact their assigned county food inspector for next steps.

The committee did not take formal action on the topic during the meeting.