Monica, speaking for the Board of Health, told the Peoria County Health Committee that THC "hemp" drinks are being sold in the region but are not classified as food products under federal food‑additive rules and therefore sit outside the local retail food code.

"THC hemp drinks are considered unapproved additives, so it's not considered a food product," Monica said, explaining that FDA must approve food additives or recognize them as generally safe and that the 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp but not hemp food products.

Monica said because many of the products are manufactured out of state, Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has limited oversight of manufacturing and that the situation falls under federal FDA jurisdiction. Locally, she said staff typically inform retailers that the beverage contains an unapproved additive and refer cases to state authorities.

Monica described the practical approach the county is taking: communicate with establishments selling these products, involve the local inspector when a product appears to be mixed or added in a food service operation, and otherwise refer retail‑level sales to the state for disposition or destruction. She added that environmental health director Carrie Pernier has met with regional peers and the office is preparing a one‑page guidance for local governments.

Committee members asked whether retailers could be directed to a specific contact for compliance steps; Monica said they should first contact their usual food inspector to discuss workflow and next steps, but acknowledged label similarities between supplements and food products make enforcement confusing for the public.

The presentation closed with staff offering to share guidance materials with committee members and to continue coordination with state and federal partners.