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Food & Consumer Goods

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Our global food and consumer goods legal experts work across the supply chain, from sourcing goods, through to putting retail and hospitality into the hands of consumers. We support new entrants as well as household names in making their products a success.
Global Consumer Trends 2024
View our interactive hub here.
   

Understanding the Food & Consumer Goods sector

From sugar reduction and the reformulation of food, to shrinkflation, international supply chain disruption, the adoption of new technology and sourcing workers to new regulations - the pace of change in the food and consumer goods industries has never been faster.

Everyone from food and drink manufacturers, to global cosmetics brands, global coffee and fast-food chains, electronics suppliers - and many other food and consumer product manufacturing businesses - trust DWF at every stage of their product or brand lifecycle to help them meet their commercial objectives.


Our Food & Consumer Goods team deliver industry knowledge and expertise

Our team is relied upon to utilise their in-depth sector experience to direct our clients clearly and in a way that’s relevant to their business. We anticipate, understand and challenge the food and consumer goods industry’s legal frameworks, focusing on what you need to know to achieve growth and meet your commercial needs.

Whether it be advice around manufacturing a compliant product or maximising your brand’s potential, creating a safe workplace or ensuring you get the best corporate deal – our diverse, multi-jurisdictional food and consumer goods team is here to help your business grow.

How we helped Europe's leading mozzarella manufacturer

 

How we helped Europe's leading mozzarella manufacturer

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The situation

Our client is Europe's leading mozzarella manufacturer and has created an innovative product. After years of challenges to the legality of its product, by a competitor (which were found to be baseless) our client was notified that its product was the subject of proposed infraction proceeding, against the UK government.

How we helped

Drawing on our industry leading regulatory experience, we compiled a dossier of evidence including expert and former CJEU judges' opinions to support the legality of our client's product. We then met with regulators, not only from the EU but also domestic and other member states, in order to persuade them of our client's product and its legality.

Outcome

After 2 years of negotiations we persuaded the EU that the product was lawfully named and labelled and no action was taken.

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How we helped in a mass outbreak

 

How we helped in a mass outbreak

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The situation

Multiple branches of our client's restaurant simultaneously suffered a norovirus outbreak, likely due to it being introduced by one of its suppliers. Civil claims and a regulatory investigation followed.

How we helped

We provided a full crisis response service, basing ourselves at our client's head office and working through the day-to-day issues with them. We also aligned our client with its insurer, devising a common strategy.

Outcome

No regulatory action was taken. The number of claims and financial loss were significantly reduced, recovery opportunities against the supplier were considered and reputation was protected.

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How we helped a French dairy supplier

 

How we helped a French dairy supplier

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The situation

A dairy producer based in France had been de-listed by a major UK supermarket.

How we helped

The circumstances surrounding the de-listing were outside of the Code of Practice and the supermarket had not appreciated the full effect of the de-listing on the supplier.

Outcome

We facilitated discussions, resulting in a large financial settlement. The dairy was re-instated as a supplier to the retailer in question.

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How we helped a large international business launch food service around the world

 

How we helped a large international business launch food service around the world

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The situation

Even across Europe where you have the same food law foundation, the interpretation of the legislation changes depending on the EU members states. Our client wanted to roll out a highly regulated food service across, not just the EU, but a number of other jurisdictions, as well. They sought our help in doing this in the lowest risk way possible.

How we helped

Using our network of specialist food regulatory experts, we supported our client's roll out with expertise, where they needed it. This ensured that they were able to develop local strategies in over 20 markets, to suit their needs.

Outcome

Our client was able to develop its strategy based on our advice and risk analysis, as well as successfully launching in all chosen jurisdictions.

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How we helped an entry level brand against a market leader

 

How we helped an entry level brand against a market leader

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The situation

Our client has a range of brands. It wanted to help consumers understand that they could save money by switching from market leaders to its products, whilst still enjoying the same great quality and taste.

How we helped

Comparative advertising is very high risk. We helped our client design a campaign that achieved its strategic objectives, whilst being totally defensible, if challenged by competitors.

Outcome

The campaign was a huge commercial success, driving a substantial increase in sales. Whilst high risk, we have ensured there have not been any successful challenges to the regulators about the campaign.

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How we helped launch 3D printed sweets in the UK

 

How we helped launch 3D printed sweets in the UK

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The situation

A confectionery maker wanted to launch a 3D printed sweets machine in the UK and beyond. They needed our help to understand the regulatory and legal framework for doing this.

How we helped

Whilst the law has not caught up with technology, such as 3D printing, we found a solution for our client that enabled it to give its customers confidence that all regulatory issues had been addressed and that the product was entirely safe.

Outcome

The product very successfully launched in the UK and is now being rolled out across the globe with an amazing range of customisable sweets for consumers to enjoy.

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“They are approachable, speedy and comprehensive in their responses. They think closely about specific client needs and get straight to the issue.”
Product Liability: Food, Chambers 2020
“They are well known in the food space and are experts in regulatory compliance.”
Product Liability: Food, Chambers 2020
“They are excellent and very supportive.”
Product Liability: Food, Chambers 2020
   

Latest reports and downloads

Global Consumer Trends 2024
What does the future hold? Find out more about the key trends in the Consumer sector and how they could impact your business in our latest report.
 
Small panel retail
Retail, Food & Hospitality Newsletter
Every Monday we send an email with the sector's most important regulatory developments you need to know for the week ahead.
 
Small panel retail

Understanding the market

Latest insights

Don’t fall foul of new green claims regime
Insights
Don’t fall foul of new green claims regime 02 Jun 2025

April 7th was a landmark date for food businesses making environmental claims. The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA) came into force, giving the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) the ability to fine businesses up to 10% of their global turnover for giving false or misleading information to consumers, including about their green credentials.

 
What does forced labour clampdown mean for food?
Insights
What does forced labour clampdown mean for food? 25 Apr 2025

Under a new EU law, businesses can be forced to withdraw any product linked to worker exploitation in the supply chain. But will its bark be worse than its bite?

 
DWF advises the O'Sullivans Group on the restructuring of its shareholding in Paname Brewing Company
Insights
DWF advises the O'Sullivans Group on the restructuring of its shareholding in Paname Brewing Company 26 Feb 2025

DWF has advised the O'Sullivans Group on the restructuring of its shareholding in Paname Brewing Company (a group of breweries and bars) with a view to forming a joint venture with Groupe Boissons de Corse.

 

People

Key Contacts

Dominic Watkins

Dominic Watkins

Partner // Head of Consumer Sector

United Kingdom

 

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