Danone takes US rival to court over ‘deceptive’ protein claims
French dairy giant Danone has filed a lawsuit against US yoghurt rival Chobani over “deceptive” high-protein claims.
Regulation & Legislation
Animal rights lawyers accuse BBC of misleading public
The Animal Law Foundation has accused the BBC of misleading the British public on the facts surrounding pig sentience.
Mondelēz CEO warns ‘shaky’ UK regulations threaten future investment
Mondelēz CEO Dirk Van de Put has cautioned that global consumer confidence is at a 30-year low as a result of protracted economic instability.
HGV drivers supplying Morrisons call off strike action
Close to 500 HGV drivers supplying supermarket chain Morrisons have secured a series of concessions after threatening to strike.
‘Extreme concerns’ over government energy drink ban delay
A coalition of celebrity voices and health experts has criticised the government for the delay in pushing through the energy drinks ban for children.
Weight-loss pill approved in UK for the first time
A weight-loss drug pill has been given regulatory approval by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
UK’s ‘obesity moonshot’ at risk if Downing Street panders to cost-of-living politics
Leading health experts are urging the government not to get dragged into “cost-of-living politics” as healthy food becomes increasingly inaccessible for many Britons.
Global dairy giant calls on Downing Street to close hidden nutrition gap
One of the world’s largest dairy firms is calling on the UK government to help close the nation’s growing ‘nutrition gap’.
Food Foundation reveals devastating impact of inflation on poorest families
The poorest families in Britain with children would need to spend 85% of their disposable income to attain a healthy diet.
Illegal meat case results in £467K payout
Company and director ordered to pay over £467,000 for diverting meat not fit for human consumption.
High Court finds FSA was unlawfully charging slaughterhouses for inspections
The High Court has found that the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has been taxing slaughterhouses unlawfully through its charging for official controls.
‘John Lemon’ beer dispute: The hidden risks in wordplay
A recent case involving a small French brewery, L’Imprimerie, and the estate of a world-famous musician provides a timely reminder that even light-hearted branding can carry serious legal risk.
Manager jailed after defrauding major UK food supplier out £700K
A man has been jailed for nearly four years after defrauding one of the UK’s leading fresh food suppliers out of £700,000.
France bans CBD edibles, European agency agrees on ‘reproductive toxicant’ classification
France has banned CBD edibles and convinced the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) that CBD should be treated as a reproductive toxicant, adding pressure on an “already fragile and highly uncertain” market.
What does Milka’s shrinkflation mean for food manufacturers?
A German court has found Milka guilty of shrinkflation deception - legal expert Euan Duncan takes a look at what happened and why this ruling matters for the wider food and drink sector.
Too good to be true? When food and drink health claims leave a bad taste
As regulation tightens, legal expert Samantha Woodley explains how brands can navigate the CAP Code and avoid health-related compliance pitfalls.
New UK-EU deal to slash GB-NI goods checks, government says
Environment secretary Emma Reynolds is in Northern Ireland this week to meet farmers, growers and businesses to discuss the benefits of the new UK–EU food and drink deal.
PM launches new plan to redistribute surplus food backed by leading charities
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has unveiled a new programme designed to redistribute more surplus food to the people who need it most.
Food experts call on governments to take action on spiralling food prices
Experts are urging world governments to get a grip on runaway food prices amid the rumbling geopolitical crisis set off by the Iran war.
The £2BN burden on food and drink
As the regulatory environment that governs UK food and drink becomes more complex, unintended consequences are coming into play. Here’s what you need to be know...
The Chancery Lane Project and WRAP update clause to fight corporate food waste
Legal non-profit The Chancery Lane Project (TCLP) has collaborated with the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) to tackle food waste through contracts and supply chain management.
What food businesses need to know about the UK–EU SPS agreement
The proposed UK-EU SPS deal intends to reduce friction at the border - but what does such a deal mean for food and drink businesses and what should they be doing to prepare? Chris McGarvey, director in Walker Morris’ regulatory and compliance team and...
Poultry producer faces legal action over alleged river pollution claims
A landmark court case has been brought against chicken producer Avara Foods over alleged claims of environmental pollution.
FDF Scotland launches new funding to help SMEs ahead of HFSS deadline
Food and Drink Federation (FDF) Scotland has launched a new round of funding to support Scottish food and drink manufacturers.
Childhood obesity epidemic drives government’s drastic overhaul of school menus
The UK Government is scrapping high-sugar and deep-fried foods from school menus across the country in a bid to tackle the childhood obesity epidemic.
Data reveals commodities most vulnerable to food fraud
The Food Authenticity Network (FAN) has revealed the foods most susceptible to adulteration and fraud, labelling rising incident data as ‘concerning’.
F-gas compliance pressures put food and drink cooling upgrades on hold
A whitepaper from Aggreko has highlighted how legislative demands, coupled with critical operational vulnerabilities, are stalling necessary upgrades and impacting the food and beverage sector’s resilience.
Damaged goods: What food and beverage businesses can do if supplies arrive compromised
It is difficult, in any industry, for buyers to deal with damaged supplies. However, the risk and potential losses for buyers are even more apparent within the food and beverage sector.
Doubts raised over FSA's national food regulation plans
A new plan has been set out by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and agreed by its board which will see the development of a national approach to food safety regulation - but some stakeholders are concerned.
What does the NPM update mean for food businesses?
The Nutrient Profiling Model 2018 introduces some significant changes which food and drink manufacturers will need to be attuned to. Angie Jefferson, RD RNutr and strategic projects manager for the British Nutrition Foundation, outlines what we know so...
Regulatory change is about to speed up - what PRAM means for food and drink manufacturers
If you manufacture food or drink in the UK, the rules that govern your products may soon be able to change more quickly than ever before.
Packaging compliance and hidden liabilities
As food manufacturers engage with the newer rules stipulated by Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility, many are discovering gaps in their historic packaging compliance. Here’s what you need to know.
Zoe fails to overturn ASA ruling on gut supplement ad
Professor Tim Spector says the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) decision to uphold its ruling that Zoe’s Daily30+ supplement advertisement was misleading is a profound failure of logic.
What the EU exports deal exposes about the UK food and drink industry
As the Government’s flagship SPS agreement with the EU shows signs of strain, James Watson, partner at Argon & Co UK, explores what this moment means for UK food and drink manufacturers’ resilience, risk exposure, and readiness for the next shock to hit...
What the 2026 less healthy foods regime means for food and drink brands
Anxiety about the state of the UK’s health, especially the stubbornly high rate of childhood obesity, has long shaped the UK’s approach to regulating food and drink advertising. But early 2026 marked a turning point.
Tories pledge to stamp out ‘Made in the UK’ labelling loophole
The Conservative Party has promised to close what it is calling a “flag loophole” for ‘Made in the UK’ certifications.
What the latest ONS insolvency statistics signal for the food & beverage sector — and options for companies in distress
Frances Coulson, partner and head of insolvency & restructuring at law firm Wedlake Bell examines the latest ONS insolvency rates.
Compliance challenges with EU and UK nitrites/nitrates rules
More than a decade after the World Health Organization classified processed meats such as ham as Group 1 carcinogens, concerns over nitrites/nitrates in food continue to spark debate. Sarah-Jane Dobson, partner at law firm, Ashurst, discusses.
UK’s DRS management organisation appoints senior leaders
Exchange for Change – the industry-led company in charge of leading the UK’s Deposit Return Scheme across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland – has made five senior leadership appointments and published logo guidance.
Oatly vs Dairy UK: What now for the ‘Post-Milk Generation?’
Legal expert Anousha Davies offers key takeaways from the Supreme Court’s decision in the Oatly v Dairy UK case for plant-based producers.
Brand protection strategies in an evolving retail landscape
UK retail is operating in a challenging environment. Consumers are cautious, competition is global, and ‘dupe culture’ continues to blur the boundaries between inspiration and imitation, writes Michael Conway, partner in the intellectual property team at...
Oatly: Lost legal battle will ‘stifle’ plant-based alternatives
The oat drink company has lost an on-going legal battle against Dairy UK over the use of the word ‘milk’ in its marketing, which it says will only make things harder for plant-based brands.
HSE cracks down on flour dust in bakeries
The UK health and safety regulator is rolling out a series of inspections to check that businesses are properly protecting workers from dusty ingredients.
Salmonella outbreak lands Tayto Group with £153K fine
Hundreds fall ill following mass salmonella outbreak after eating pork scratchings produced at a Tayto Group Ltd factory in Westhoughton, Bolton.
Nestlé baby food recall: Legal transparency, timeliness and trust restoration after a global safety failure
The recall has since prompted non-profit campaign organisation, Foodwatch, to file a lawsuit. Food Manufacture speaks to law firm Birketts to gain further clarity on what could happen next.
Amsterdam becomes first capital city to ban all meat advertising
Amsterdam is set to ban meat advertising, reflecting a wider cultural shift taking place within the Netherlands.
Lactalis and Danone hit by baby formula toxin recall alongside Nestlé
Concerns over a potentially deadly toxin contamination in a batch of Nestlé baby formula have grown this week, with the existing urgent recall also impacting Danone and Lactalis.
Tesco issues urgent recall over contaminated dog food fears
The retailer has issued an urgent recall notice after a foreign body contamination was detected in Lily’s Kitchen branded dog food cans.
How regulation will reshape the UK food and drink sector in 2026
Legal expert, Andrew Walker, partner in the MMT team at Morton Fraser MacRoberts, highlights the top three regulatory changes set to impact the UK food and beverage industry this year.
EPR: The hidden tax reshaping alcohol marketing strategies
The UK’s Extended Producer Responsibility is poised to transform alcohol aisles and challenge long-standing marketing strategies. Mark Dodds, chair of the Chartered Institute of Marketing’s Food, Drink, and Agriculture Group explains how drink businesses...