Yes, kava is legal in Poland as a food supplement, provided it complies with EU and national food safety regulations. The Polish Office for Registration of Medicinal Products, Medical Devices, and Biocidal Products (URPLWMiPB) enforces EU Regulation 2015/2283 on novel foods, requiring kava-based products to undergo pre-market authorization if marketed post-2018. Retailers must ensure kava products are not labeled as medicinal or psychoactive to avoid sanctions under the Act on Counteracting Drug Addiction (2005).
Key Regulations for Kava in Poland
- Novel Food Authorization: Kava extracts or derivatives introduced after May 1, 2018, require EFSA approval under EU Regulation 2015/2283. Traditional kava root powder sold as a food supplement prior to this date may circulate without reauthorization, but must adhere to labeling rules.
- Prohibition on Medicinal Claims: Polish law (Act on Food and Nutrition Safety, 2006) prohibits marketing kava products with claims of therapeutic or psychoactive effects. Violations may trigger enforcement by the State Sanitary Inspectorate (PIS).
- Controlled Substance Overlap: While kava itself is not a controlled substance under Polish law, products containing kava combined with other regulated compounds (e.g., CBD) may fall under stricter scrutiny by the Ministry of Health, particularly if marketed for relaxation or sedation.