Food Law

Welcome to the home of food law on Law-Now.

On this page you will find all the articles and publications for food law.

To stay in touch with the latest developments, please bookmark this page on your mobile or register to receive eAlerts.

Recent Articles

  •  
    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...
    Read more
  •  
    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...
    Read more
  •  
    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...
    Read more
  •  
    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...
    Read more
  •  
    11/03/2024
    United Kingdom

    Wasting more than food? Oven ready contributions to emissions reductions targets

    For many years at EU and UK level the contribution of waste, including food waste, to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions has been well understood both in terms of emissions as part of the waste process but also in terms of the emissions associated with the production and transportation of the product. In the EU the implementation of the Waste Framework Directive’s hierarchy of preventing waste and encouraging reuse then recycling prior to recovery and disposal methods has been a longstanding requirement and the same obligations remain the case in the UK today. As waste separation and presentation...
    Read more
  •  
    19/12/2023
    EU

    Grate news for Grana Padano: logo granted cumulative protection in EU

    Collective marks and protected designations of origin (PDOs) have different functions and confer different levels of protection. While the function of a collective mark is to indicate membership of an association, a PDO identifies and protects the goods of a particular region. An association of protection of a PDO may apply to register a collective mark incorporating that PDO, to obtain cumulative protection, but this can present some obstacles.In a recent decision (case R-1073/2022-5), the Fifth Board of Appeal of the EUIPO (“Board”) clarified the relationship between collective marks...
    Read more