Food Law

Recent Articles

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  07.03.2023

  United Kingdom

  The new era of data re­port­ing leg­al re­quire­ments to re­duce food waste for a cir­cu­lar eco­nomy

  The emerging duties of data collection and reporting reflect a trend that is expected to be extended to food waste in the drive for sustainability and a circular economy. Although there are numerous individual projects addressing food waste there is currently little composite information on waste disposal within the food waste industry. As initially flagged by the Dimbleby National Food Strategy (NFS), the Westminster government is now addressing measures to gather data to better understand food waste systems and practices. Government is calling on industry to assist in gathering information...

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  24.02.2023

  United Kingdom

  Last call for re­gis­tra­tion of pro­du­cers un­der the Scot­tish DRS for single use bever­age con­tain­ers

  Drinks producers must register with SEPA for the Deposit Return Scheme for Scotland (“DRS”) by 28th February 2023 if they sell drinks in Scotland in single use containers which are included in the DRS.The DRS is set to launch on 16th August 2023 and will mark a key milestone for the Scottish Government’s ambitions for a circular economy and extended producer responsibility. Plans to introduce similar schemes in the rest of UK are being developed (here).Who is obligated by the DRS?The DRS is built around the principle of producer responsibility, such that producers will be responsible...

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  17.02.2023

  United Kingdom

  The fu­ture of food la­belling – in­form­ing without mis­lead­ing

  The Competitions and Marketing Authority (“CMA”) has announced it is reviewing the accuracy of environmental claims made in the food and drink sector. Food business operators (“FBOs”) are encouraged to review the green claims policies as a result, or risk being subject to a CMA investigation, which is much more costly and intrusive than an Advertising Standards Agency complaint.We have previously reported that "the future of food labelling" is moving towards providing consumers with the information they require to make more sustainable purchasing decisions. The challenge...

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  16.02.2023

  United Kingdom

  A look in­to the up­com­ing de­pos­it re­turn schemes

  SummaryA new deposit return scheme (“DRS”) is being introduced in Scotland this year with further DRSs being introduced in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in 2025. DRSs are a way of encouraging more people to recycle drinks containers, such as bottles and cans. They work by charging anyone who buys a qualifying drink a small deposit for the bottle or can that it comes in. The customer gets this money back when they return the bottle or can to a collection point to be recycled.Under the Deposit and Return Scheme for Scotland Regulations 2020 (as amended) (the “Regulations”),...

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  07.12.2022

  Poland

  Pol­ish high court provides a new fa­vour­able rul­ing for home-de­liv­ery sale of al­co­hol

  PL

  In a recent judgment, Poland's Supreme Administrative Court (NSA) gives cause for optimism for anyone who is carrying out online alcohol sales or considering such sales. Background Online alcohol sales have been a hot topic in Poland for many years. The growth of the e-commerce sector, further accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has caused most stores – not just major retailers – to institute home-delivery shopping. The legality of selling alcohol over the Internet, however, has not been clear and as a result some retailers have not opted for this form of sales. In the debate on the...

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  06.10.2022

  United Kingdom

  To modi­fy or not to modi­fy? Ge­net­ic Modi­fic­a­tion and Gene Edit­ing – A di­ver­gence by the UK

  Against the backdrop of the cost-of-living crisis it is argued that the UK could bolster food security, combat climate change and lower food prices by relaxing the rules on and around genetic engineering. By designing more resistant crops which are less reliant on fertiliser and are more nutritious, progress could be made. On the other hand, this may be a short-sighted approach to deregulation and taking the risk could result in disastrous consequences. The Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill 2022 The arguments are surfacing as The Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill (GT (PB)...

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