Judicial review of animal welfare law changes granted
The High Court has granted The Animal Law Foundation permission to challenge the UK Government after it amended an EU welfare law that prohibited the handling of chickens by their legs.
Regulation & Legislation
WWF blasts EU for ‘embarrassing’ deforestation law delay
The EU Commission has announced a further delay to the anti-deforestation rules citing IT issues.
CBD gets serious: What the FSA’s consultation means
The Food Standards Agency’s (FSA) consultation on the first proposed authorisations for cannabidiol (CBD) food products marks a turning point for the CBD industry in Great Britain.
Sainsbury’s ordered to pay sexual discrimination victim £60k in compensation
Sainsbury’s was ordered to pay a woman who was the victim of sexual discrimination nearly £60,000 in compensation following a tribunal last year.
Brand exemptions defined, as Government clears up junk food ad rules
The Government has published its response to the consultation on the draft advertising regulations around less healthy food and drink advertising on TV and online.
Government opens consultation on banning energy drinks for under-16s
The proposal, which could save tens of millions of pounds, was set out as a government commitment in the 2024 King’s Speech and underscored in Labour’s recently published 10-Year Health Plan.
Labour’s HFSS pivot – what’s actually changing?
With just months to go before promotional deals are banned on products classed as high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS), what does Labour’s pledge to repeal the rules mean for food manufacturers?
Consultation launched over CBD authorisation process
A consultation on the proposed authorisation process for cannabidiol (CBD) food products has been launched by the Food Standards Agency.
Factory floor to family time: Landmark review into parental leave
The UK Government has launched a landmark review of the parental leave and pay system, with implications for employers across the food and beverage manufacturing sector.
Uncertainty continues: Where do ‘less healthy’ food and drink ads stand now?
Food and drink manufacturers in the UK are still waiting for clarity on how new advertising restrictions on less healthy food (LHF) products.
Four arrested over cyberattacks targeting Co-op and M&S
Four people have been arrested in relation to recent cyberattacks that targeted Co-op, Marks & Spencer and Harrods.
Investigation launched into Greencore £1.2bn deal for Bakkavor
An investigation has been launched into the proposed £1.2 billion acquisition of Bakkavor by Greencore.
Cadbury’s chocolate producer calls for EUDR delay
Mondelēz has called for a one-year delay to the EU Deforestation Regulation amidst rising cocoa prices.
Green Claims Directive not withdrawn but hanging in the balance
Following major confusion after a shock announcement last month, the European Commission has clarified it has not withdrawn the Green Claims Directive but will do so if microenterprises are not removed from its scope.
Food manufacturers required to make food and drink healthier
Food manufacturers will be required to meet new healthy food standards to help tackle the UK obesity epidemic.
Government pledges support for food and drink sector in UK Trade Strategy
The UK Trade Strategy has vowed to protect the UK’s largest manufacturing sector.
Food and drink sector has mixed reaction to Government Industrial Strategy
The Industrial Strategy sets out a 10-year plan to boost investment and create skilled jobs, with the aim of making it easier and simpler for companies to do business.
Treatment of Grocery suppliers improves for second year running
There were fewer code issues and improved treatment of grocery suppliers by retailers.
Potato firm wins noise dispute with local council
A potato storage facility has had a noise nuisance abatement notice served by the local council overturned in court.
Mars £28bn deal for Kellanova set to face EU investigation
The proposed acquisition of Kellanova by Mars is set to face an EU antitrust investigation, according to Reuters.
Amazon under investigation by grocery watchdog
The Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) has launched a targeted investigation into whether Amazon.com, Inc has breached the Groceries Code.
Lords Committee slams delay to junk food ad ban
Lords Committee has criticised the further delay to the advertising restrictions for less healthy foods, contending that voluntary compliance will be ineffective.
Father and daughter sentenced for causing unnecessary suffering to animals
A father and daughter have been sentenced for causing unnecessary suffering to animals on their farm in Pembrokeshire.
Morley’s wins trade mark case against rival chicken chain
Chicken shop chain Morley’s has won a Court of Appeal ruling protecting its trade mark against rival brand Metro’s.
300 people join M&S lawsuit after data lost
More than 300 people are taking part in a class action lawsuit against Marks & Spencer after their data was lost in a cyberattack over the Easter weekend.
Just 14% claim to fully understand Less Healthy Food regulations
Linney survey finds that majority of F&B businesses don’t feel ready for the next raft of HFSS regulations.
HFSS advert ban delayed till 2026
The UK Government is postponing the rollout of TV and online advert bans on products high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) until next year.
Thatchers v Aldi was just the start: Courts are now protecting how brands make us feel
Euan Duncan – a partner in the manufacturing, media and technology team at Morton Fraser MacRoberts LLP – explores how courts are ruling on intellectual property and trade mark disputes within the food and drink industry.
Farm inheritance tax changes should be delayed, argues MP committee
A report by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee has called on government to delay its reforms to agricultural property relief (APR) and business property relief (BPR).
Devising winning growth strategies in the face of HFSS restrictions
Health and wellness remain top consumer priorities - and governments are responding. Group sales & marketing director for Linney, Fiona Boam, explores how food producers can devise winning strategies in the face of less healthy food restrictions.
Scottish Gov backs food sector in new Programme for Government
The Scottish Government has outlined key measures to support the food and drink manufacturing sector in its newly published Programme for Government.
Reform surges as Labour and Conservatives suffer in local elections
Reform UK gained a substantial number of council seats in the local elections held on 1 May, while Labour and the Conservatives both suffered disappointing results.
Yoplait sues Danone in yoghurt imitation case
Yoplait has launched legal proceedings against Danone in Ireland alleging that the firm has imitated one of its yoghurt products.
Regulated products authorisation process simplified
The way that regulated products are authorised in the UK has been streamlined after two changes to the process were introduced on 1 April 2025.
EPR redefined as tax with estimated cost £2bn higher
The Office for Budget Responsibility has labelled Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) as a tax in its most recent economic and fiscal outlook.
The legal implications of new food waste reforms
Melissa Haskell, partner in the regulatory and licensing teams at Knights, explores the practical changes businesses must adopt in light of Simpler Recycling reforms and the anticipated implications of non-compliance.
Spring Statement fails to support UK food and drink
Members of the food and drink industry have criticised the chancellor’s Spring Statement for its lack of support for the sector as it faces continued pressure from employment taxes and the loss of government support schemes.
Ice cream maker fined after failing to control pests
The director of an ice cream maker in Wirral has been ordered to pay nearly £100k after pleading guilty to food safety offences across two separate businesses.
Why Oatly is appealing to Supreme Court in trade mark battle
Darragh Killeen, Shannon Fahy and Emma Cullinan, lawyers at Browne Jacobson, explain why Oatly’s ongoing trade mark case lost in the Court of Appeal and is now set to be decided on in the Supreme Court.
Meat industry body launches legal challenge against FSA
The Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS) has launched legal action against the Food Standards Agency (FSA) challenging the charges it is levying against the industry.
Cultivated meat sandbox programme launched in UK
A sandbox programme has been launched by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to inform how cultivated meat products are regulated in the UK.
EU Omnibus: On the right track?
Dr Markus Lange, partner at Bakertilly, examines how the EU is evolving its regulatory framework to address sustainability challenges and reviews the recent Omnibus proposals.
Sale of The Famous Grouse cleared by regulator
The anticipated acquisition of The Famous Grouse by William Grant & Sons has been cleared by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).
Co-op guilty of 107 breaches of competition rules
The Co-op has admitted to breaching an order put in place to stop the use of unlawful anti-competitive land agreements on 107 occasions.
EU Nutri-Score plans on the brink of collapse
Rumours spread over the weekend that plans for the EU to implement Nutri-Score were dead in the water, with a press meeting held earlier today indicating that the claims may hold substance.
Top tips and FAQs ahead of Simpler Recycling
There’s just little over a month until the new recycling rules come into effect. We summarise what to expect and some ways you can tackle some of the most frequently felt challenges.
CMA addresses ‘unintended consequences’ of baby formula regulations
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published its final report into infant formula and follow on formula, following concerns that aspects of the current regulations are having unintended consequences.
Sainsbury’s loses ruling after accusing Tesco of misleading consumers with advert
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has not upheld a complaint about a Tesco billboard that Sainsbury’s alleged was misleading.
Fatal head injuries land farm partnership with £80k fine
A Lancashire farm partnership has been fined £80k after a man died from traumatic head injuries.
Thatchers v Aldi trade mark case: The beginning of the end for lookalikes?
Euan Duncan, partner at legal advisors Morton Fraser MacRoberts, analyses the significance of Thatchers Cider winning its trade mark infringement case against Aldi in the Court of Appeal last month.