Pre-workout gummies in France: legal framework and alternatives

Pre-workout gummies are chewable food supplements whose composition varies from brand to brand: caffeine (often 50 to 200 mg per dose), taurine, BCAAs, B-group vitamins, plant extracts (guarana, green tea, ginseng) and sometimes CBD at variable doses. The format appeals for its convenience, but the promise of "controlled energy" before a session has no regulatory basis.

In France, food supplements are governed by decree no. 2006-352, overseen by the DGCCRF. Authorised composition, clear labelling and claims governed by Regulation EC 1924/2006: only claims entered in the European register are permitted. No claim specific to CBD appears there, which prohibits any promise of an effect on performance, focus or recovery.

On 9 February 2026, the EFSA published an extremely low provisional safe daily dose for ingested CBD: 0.0275 mg per kg of body weight per day, or around 2 mg/day for a 70 kg adult. Since 15 May 2026, the DGAL has applied the Novel Food regime strictly: CBD gummies, capsules and drinks without a validated dossier are withdrawn from the French market, which concerns almost all pre-workout gummies containing CBD.

The AFLD, following WADA, removed CBD from the list of prohibited substances on 1 January 2018. THC, however, remains prohibited in competition. For a licensed athlete, a full-spectrum or broad-spectrum gummy remains a real risk of a positive test: the prudent rule is to use only 99% CBD isolates certified free of THC, preferably in cosmetic rather than ingestible form.

Among pre-session supplements, caffeine remains the only one backed by a solid level of evidence, at a dose of 3 to 6 mg per kg of body weight, 30 to 60 minutes before exercise, according to the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN, 2021). The rest comes down to the fundamentals: a balanced snack 30 to 90 minutes before the session (complex carbohydrates, a small portion of protein, regular hydration), good-quality sleep the night before, and a progressive warm-up of 10 to 15 minutes. No supplement replaces these basics.

CBD is not a medicine. Do not consume CBD gummies that have not complied with the Novel Food framework since 15 May 2026. Use remains inadvisable for pregnant or breastfeeding women and for minors. For competitors, a THC-free CBD isolate, ideally Informed Sport certified, is essential. Our article on synthetic cannabinoids prohibited in France details the substances to rule out systematically.

Does a CBD gummy give you energy before a session?

No energy or performance claim is validated by the EFSA for CBD. Cannabidiol is associated more with a relaxation ritual than with a stimulant effect. Caffeine remains the ergogenic aid recognised by the scientific literature.

Why are CBD gummies being withdrawn from the market in France?

Because they fall under the Novel Food regime of EU Regulation 2015/2283. Since 15 May 2026, the DGAL has been withdrawing CBD food products without valid European authorisation, the EFSA having set a very low provisional daily dose in February 2026.

What alternative is there for an amateur athlete?

A balanced snack 30 to 90 minutes before the session, a moderate coffee for those who tolerate caffeine, good hydration and sufficient sleep. For recovery, a CBD cosmetic remains possible, unlike ingested formats.

What should be done with CBD gummies bought before May 2026?

They can be kept for personal use, with caution over doses. The withdrawal from the market is for regulatory and public-health safety reasons, the EFSA's provisional daily dose being 2 mg/day for 70 kg.