Yes, kava is legal in France but strictly regulated under food safety and narcotic control frameworks. The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) classifies kava as a novel food, requiring pre-market authorization under Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. Since 2021, ANSES has denied novel food applications for kava due to hepatotoxicity concerns, effectively banning its sale as a food supplement. However, traditional kava consumption in Polynesian cultural contexts remains unprosecuted, provided no commercial distribution occurs.
Key Regulations for Kava in France
- Novel Food Status: Kava is prohibited as a food supplement under ANSES’s 2021 risk assessment, which cites insufficient safety data and potential liver damage risks.
- Narcotic Control: While not classified as a narcotic, kava’s psychoactive properties subject it to scrutiny under France’s Public Health Code (Article L. 5132-6), enabling seizure if marketed for intoxication.
- Cultural Exemption: Traditional use in overseas territories (e.g., French Polynesia) is tolerated under local customs, but imports for commercial sale trigger immediate enforcement by the Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF).
Recent 2026 draft amendments to the Code de la Santé Publique propose stricter controls on kava-containing products, aligning with EU-wide harmonization efforts under the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). Importers and retailers face fines up to €300,000 for non-compliance, with mandatory lab testing for any kava-derived ingredients.