Food Law

Recent Articles

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  15/01/2025

  China

  2025 – Topics that may Concern You

  Companies doing business in China constantly have to deal with changes in regulations and new laws. This will also continue in 2025.Topics such as the new PRC Company Law, new PRC Tariff Law, PRC Regulations on Export Control of Dual-Use Items, network data security management, data transfer, opening up capital markets to foreign investment, and raise of statutory retirement age of employees etc. will continue to be a concern for many companies in China in 2025.Complying with regulatory requirements is one of the key challenges for foreign companies and investors in China, not only in terms of...

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  10/10/2024

  Poland

  Poland steps up consumer protection on alcoholic beverages market

  PL

  In early October 2024, Poland’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development issued a draft regulation introducing additional restrictions on the packaging of certain spirit drinks.The draft, which appeared on the website of the Governmental Legislation Centre, applies to spirit drinks falling under EU Regulation 2019/787, which include vodka, whisky, gin and liqueurs. However, beverages with an alcohol content of less than 15% will generally not be covered by the draft.With the proposed regulation, the Polish legislator is attempting to supplement regulations on the packaging of spirit...

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  31/05/2024

  Scotland

  Blockchain technology in the Scottish food and drink sector: against the grain?

  IntroductionScotland’s food and drink sector is reported to be a c. £15 billion industry. However, while the importance of the sector to the Scottish (and wider UK) economy is unlikely to change, the technology available to producers in terms of how they run their businesses is constantly evolving. In this Law-Now, we outline various ways in which businesses operating in the food and drink industry may be able to make use of fintech to maximise the potential of this vibrant sector. Use casesGiven the current success of the Scottish food and drink sector, producers may question...

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  29/04/2024

  United Kingdom

  Food Advertising and Environmental Claims: A Balancing Act for Businesses

  The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has published a report on its research into consumer understanding of environmental claims in food advertisements (Environmental claims in food advertising - ASA | CAP). While some of the findings are unsurprising, they also reveal important insights into inferences consumers draw from different kinds of claims, and challenge the view that reducing their environmental impact is a primary focus for consumers who respond to environmental claims. Businesses should:Take care with the implications of their claims, which may be unexpected;Use clear and specific...

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  25/04/2024

  Europe

  Cheers! New EU rules to strengthen GI protection for wine, spirit drinks and agri-food products come into force on 13 May 2024

  On 23 April 2024, a new EU regulation aimed at enhancing the protection of geographical indications (GIs) for wine, spirit drinks and agricultural products, and other quality schemes for agricultural products was published in the Official Journal. The new rules, that enter into force on 13 May 2024, provide for a streamlined registration procedure, a strengthened role of producer groups, and improved provisions on GI protection (both online and offline) and sustainability.Background on Geographical Indications (GIs) for wine, spirit drinks and agri-food productsGIs are intellectual property rights...

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  13/03/2024

  England and Wales

  Not Frying So High: EU General Court Rejects “MYBACON” Trade Mark Appeal

  Introduction Food company Myforest Foods Co. sought to register the trade mark “MYBACON” for its plant-based food product. Both the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and the EUIPO’s Board of Appeal rejected its application on the grounds that  the mark is deceptive (Myforest Foods Co. v EUIPO, Case T‑107/23). Determined to press on with its appeal, Myforest brought the case before the EU General Court (GC) but it has been unsuccessful. The EU General Court agreed with the EUIPO that the mark “MYBACON” was likely to mislead the public...

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