Products made from hemp grain
- Hulled hemp seed (hemp hearts): the dehulled kernel.
- Hemp seed oil: cold-pressed from whole seed.
- Press cake, protein powder and flour: milled from what remains after pressing.
- Whole seed: for further processing. Viable seed for planting is a separate, regulated product.
Food regulatory status
On December 20, 2018, FDA said it had no questions about notices concluding that hulled hemp seed (GRN 765), hemp seed protein powder (GRN 771) and hemp seed oil (GRN 778) are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for their intended uses in human food. Food made with these ingredients is still subject to food-safety, labeling and facility requirements.
Animal feed is different
FDA’s GRAS responses for human food do not approve hemp ingredients for animal feed. Feed ingredients go through a separate FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine and AAFCO process. Hemp seed meal for laying hens has advanced through that pathway, and some states have allowed specific uses. Confirm current status with your state feed control official before buying for feed.
The 2025 federal hemp definition and grain
The federal hemp definition amended in Public Law 119-37 explicitly includes industrial hemp, which covers hemp grown for whole grain, oil, cake, nut and hull. It excludes viable seeds from plants above 0.3% total THC (including THCA). Most of these changes apply from December 11, 2026. See our federal hemp definition explainer.
U.S. supply and purchase specifications
USDA estimated 7,515 acres of hemp grown in the open for grain were harvested in 2025, averaging 966 pounds per acre for about 7.26 million pounds in total.
In a purchase specification, ask for: moisture, protein and fat content, foreign-material limits, microbiological testing, aflatoxin and pesticide-residue results, THC residue testing where your market requires it, lot traceability, food-safety program documentation, allergen controls, any organic certification, packaging and shelf life.
Quick checklist for suppliers
- Ingredient specification, testing, lot traceability and packaging
- Food safety documentation, shelf life and minimum order quantities
Confirm applicable regulatory and quality requirements with the supplier.
Frequently asked questions
Is hemp seed legal to use in food in the U.S.?
FDA said in December 2018 that it had no questions about GRAS conclusions for hulled hemp seed, hemp seed protein powder and hemp seed oil for their intended uses in human food. Normal food-safety and labeling rules still apply.
Can hemp seed be used in animal feed?
Not broadly. Human-food GRAS status does not cover animal feed. Feed ingredients need review through FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine and AAFCO. Hemp seed meal for laying hens has advanced through that process, and some states allow specific uses, so check with your state feed control official.
Does the new federal hemp definition affect hemp grain?
The amended definition explicitly includes industrial hemp grown for whole grain, oil, cake, nut and hull. It excludes viable seed from plants above 0.3% total THC. Most of the changes apply from December 11, 2026.
How much hemp grain does the U.S. grow?
USDA’s National Hemp Report estimated 7,515 harvested acres of grain hemp in the open in 2025, with about 7.26 million pounds produced.
Sources
- FDA, FDA Responds to Three GRAS Notices for Hemp Seed-Derived Ingredients (Dec. 20, 2018) ↗
- USDA NASS, National Hemp Report (released April 16, 2026) ↗
- Congressional Research Service, IF13136: Changes to the Statutory Definition of Hemp ↗
Sources reviewed November 14, 2026. This guide is general information, not legal, engineering or purchasing advice.