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Choose your location?
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Food

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From the war on sugar to the reformulation of food, from shrinkflation to international food supply chain disruption. Whether discussing the adoption of new technology, the challenges of sourcing workers or food information regulations, the pace of change in the food industry has never been so fast.
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Understanding the market
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How we can help

Understanding your legal commercial needs

True sector experts

Our food law specialists work from farm to fork, across the EU and beyond - supporting new entrants as well as household names in making their products a success.

From food manufacturers right through the supply chain to supermarkets and global coffee and fast food chains - food businesses trust that whatever stage of their product or brand lifecycle, DWF can be relied upon to utilise their in-depth food sector experience to direct them clearly and in a way that’s relevant to their business. We anticipate, understand and challenge the food industry legal framework, focusing on what you need to know to achieve growth and your commercial needs.

Whether it be advice around manufacturing a compliant product or maximising your brands potential, creating a safe workplace or ensuring you get the best corporate deal – our diverse, multi-jurisdictional food team can help your business grow.

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How we helped Europe's leading mozzarella manufacturer

 
How we helped Europe's leading mozzarella manufacturer

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.

How we helped in a mass outbreak

 
How we helped in a mass outbreak

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.

How we helped a French dairy supplier

 
How we helped a French dairy supplier

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.

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

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.

How we helped an entry level brand against a market leader

 
How we helped an entry level brand against a market leader

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.

How we helped launch 3D printed sweets in the UK

 
How we helped launch 3D printed sweets in the UK

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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Latest insights

Entitlement to remuneration in the case of corona-related closure of a company and possible recourse – Latest German jurisprudence
Insights
Entitlement to remuneration in the case of corona-related closure of a company and possible recourse – Latest German jurisprudence 01 Apr 2021
The corona pandemic has led to a large number of unresolved labour law issues. In particular, it was unclear if employees can claim remuneration from their employer in the event of a company closure ordered by the authorities due to the corona pandemic, i.e. whether the employer has to keep paying wages despite no longer being able to occupy the employee with work.
 
Equal pay: Supreme Court rules that lower paid retail employees can compare themselves to higher paid distribution employees
Insights
Equal pay: Supreme Court rules that lower paid retail employees can compare themselves to higher paid distribution employees 31 Mar 2021
In the long-running litigation of Asda Stores Limited ("Asda") v Brierley and ors, the Supreme Court has held that lower paid supermarket employees, who are predominantly women, can compare themselves to higher paid distribution depot employees, who are mainly men.  
 
National Minimum Wage: Supreme Court unanimously dismisses "sleep-in" shift appeals
Insights
National Minimum Wage: Supreme Court unanimously dismisses "sleep-in" shift appeals 19 Mar 2021
The Supreme Court in the joined appeals of Royal Mencap Society v Tomlinson-Blake and Shannon v Rampersad has dismissed the appeals of Mrs Tomlinson-Blake and Mr Shannon, finding that 'time' when workers are expected to sleep and given facilities to do so does not count towards the National Minimum Wage (NMW).  
 
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People

Key Contact

Dominic Watkins

Dominic Watkins

Partner // Head of Retail, Food & Hospitality Sector

United Kingdom

 

Make an enquiry

Get in touch with a member of our team by using the details below or completing the form.
T +44(0)3333202220
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