BURLINGTON, Vt., May 30, 2019 (PRNewswire) — As a company long known for flavors like Half Baked & Magic Brownies, it's no surprise that Ben & Jerry's has an affinity for the newest trend in food, cannabidiol (CBD). Given Ben & Jerry's history and on-going goal to bring fans the best ice cream possible, the company has announced its commitment to including CBD in its ice cream innovations.
Ben & Jerry's intends to make its CBD-infused ice cream available once CBD is legalized at the federal level. Currently the FDA prohibits adding CBD to food and beverages. The FDA has set a public hearing on the legalization of CBD in food and beverages on May 31st and Ben & Jerry's has submitted comment on the issue.
A National Restaurant Association survey found that three in four chefs named CBD—and cannabis-infused food—as a hot trend in 2019. "We're doing this for our fans," said CEO Matthew McCarthy. "We've listened and brought them everything from non-dairy indulgences to on-the-go portions with our Pint Slices. We aspire to love our fans more than they love us and we want to give them what they're looking for in a fun, Ben & Jerry's way."
Ben & Jerry's is looking into sustainably sourced CBD from Vermont. Values-led sourcing is an important part of Ben & Jerry's product development. By using high-quality, sustainably sourced ingredients, the company helps to support a Linked Prosperity model within Ben & Jerry's supply chain, making sure Ben & Jerry's is positively impacting every community in which it is a part of. The company currently sources its brownies from Greyston Bakery, which implements an open-door hiring policy; and its cookie dough from Rhino Foods, which hires refugees and sources its dairy from the St. Albans Co-op.
Ben & Jerry's encourages its fans to visit benjerry.com to sign up for updated info on Ben & Jerry's commitment and progress toward using CBD. Fans can also contact the FDA during their open comment window regarding CBD use in food now through July 2nd, 2019
