Businesses operating in the Food & Beverage sector are navigating a complex landscape shaped by challenges such as supply chain disruptions, the accelerating impacts of climate change, labour shortages, rising costs and inflation, increased regulations and shifting consumer demands for sustainable and healthier products.
How do we support our Food & Beverage clients?
Our dedicated international Food & Beverage group, comprising lawyers across various practice areas and jurisdictions, is well placed to support clients with responding to the challenges faced by the industry .
As well as the services listed on the right hand side of this page, the team is highly experienced in advising clients on a full range of commercial contractual matters including licensing, franchising and smart contracts.
We also support clients with navigating issues relating to supply chains, product liability and labelling, as well as reputation management.
In addition, we assist on a range of advertising and marketing matters, including brand-driven loyalty programmes, prize promotions and ensuring our clients’ advertising campaigns and marketing claims are compliant with the Advertising Codes and other relevant regulations.
Lastly our deep TMT sectoral knowledge ensures we can help clients with all legal issues arising from their integration of emerging technologies in their businesses, such as advising on the deployment of AI, the development of NFTs and entry into the metaverse.
What issues are affecting the Food & Beverage sector?
Blockchain impact on food and beverage labelling
Blockchain enhances food safety, traceability, and IP protection, reducing waste and counterfeit while improving transparency across supply chains.
Food for Thought: Navigating the UK's HFSS advertising ban
UK’s HFSS ad ban reshapes food marketing. Rules, exemptions, and ASA oversight guide businesses toward healthier advertising practices.
Mine’s a Pint: How does the Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025 impact the food and beverages sector?
Analysing the Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025 (PRAM), highlighting its immediate impact on the food and beverage sector.
Protecting the name, style or origin of special foods and drinks
Examine the EU General Court's 2025 decision in favour of the Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne against the "NERO CHAMPAGNE" trade mark application.
Navigating challenges of lookalikes in the food and beverage sector
Exploring lookalike products in food & drink: insights from Thatchers v Aldi & tips for brand owners to bolster IP protection against imitations.
Our experience
Product licensing and ingredients acquisition
Supporting international beverages production, marketing, and distribution organisation on arrangements for product licensing, ingredients and materials acquisition, production line purchases and subsidiary commercial operations services.
Platform promotions and influencer marketing
Supporting beverage manufacturer on distribution arrangements with national retailers and on consumer facing promotional activities including all digital platform promotion and influencer relationships.
Support with multi-jurisdictional franchising
Supported a restaurant chain in coordinating the review of its pre-contractual documentation and franchise law requirements across multiple jurisdictions as part of its governance program.
Advice regarding EU and UK wine laws
Advising global wine brand upon a high-profile product launch of a collaboration in Europe as an innovative first of a blend of flagship wines from Australia and France, requiring an in-depth consideration of EU/UK wine laws.
This document (and any information accessed through links in this document) is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Professional legal advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from any action as a result of the contents of this document.
Key contacts
If you have any questions, contact a member of the Food and Beverage team for assistance:
