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    Food & Beverage

Food & Beverage

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Ongoing support, from farm to fork

Farming, processing, manufacturing, branding, packaging, distributing, promoting, selling or serving. No matter which part of the food and drink industry you specialise in, you're likely under a lot of pressure. Whether you're facing workforce shortages, supply chain issues, rising operating costs or changing consumer demands. Chances are your hands are already full without worrying about consistently changing rules and regulations. 

But the risk of failing to comply with standards and codes is high. From product recall - with its associated losses and costs - to fines and prosecution. Needless to say, there's a lot on the line, including your brand image and your customers' wellbeing, loyalty and trust. This is where our team of specialist food industry lawyers can help. 

Comprehensive advice, wherever you sit on the food chain 

From food manufacturers to alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage companies, quick service restaurants, national grocers and pet food providers. We offer sector specific advice tailored to the issues and challenges you're facing. Supply chain issues, nutritional labelling, trademark infringement, supplier contracts or imminent restrictions on the marketing of less healthy foods. You can count on us to address potential challenges or clear up those already having an impact.

Farming, processing, manufacturing, branding, packaging, distributing, promoting, selling or serving. No matter which part of the food and drink industry you specialise in, you're likely under a lot of pressure. Whether you're facing workforce shortages, supply chain issues, rising operating costs or changing consumer demands. Chances are your hands are already full without worrying about consistently changing rules and regulations. 

But the risk of failing to comply with standards and codes is high. From product recall - with its associated losses and costs - to fines and prosecution. Needless to say, there's a lot on the line, including your brand image and your customers' wellbeing, loyalty and trust. This is where our team of specialist food industry lawyers can help. 

Comprehensive advice, wherever you sit on the food chain 

From food manufacturers to alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage companies, quick service restaurants, national grocers and pet food providers. We offer sector specific advice tailored to the issues and challenges you're facing. Supply chain issues, nutritional labelling, trademark infringement, supplier contracts or imminent restrictions on the marketing of less healthy foods. You can count on us to address potential challenges or clear up those already having an impact.

How we can help

The food and beverage industry is fast moving, fiercely competitive and highly regulated. Our team of food and drink lawyers can help you keep up. Whether that's staying a step ahead of consistently changing regulations or resolving challenges that are already causing issues. Here are just a few ways we can help.

Branding

Brand protection should be a priority. We support with everything from intellectual property claims to dispute resolution and commercial advice around counterfeits and grey markets. We’ve also developed Saturn, a brand protection tool that we can tailor to your requirements. It effectively reviews infringement online and allows you to take fast action, supported by our expert team.

Branding

Brand protection should be a priority. We support with everything from intellectual property claims to dispute resolution and commercial advice around counterfeits and grey markets. We’ve also developed Saturn, a brand protection tool that we can tailor to your requirements. It effectively reviews infringement online and allows you to take fast action, supported by our expert team.

Distribution and retail

Distribution and retail

We're immersed in the industry, so can advise on the best means of contracting to suit your particular circumstances. We can then assist with negotiated solutions, protecting the interests of all key parties within the process. We cover all elements, including pricing, obligations, limitation of liability, product recall and intellectual property ownership.

Employment

Employment

All food businesses, from manufacturing to retail, depend on staff for success. So managing your team and your reputation as an employer is vital. We can provide advice to your HR department on all elements of employment law. Whether that's workplace relations, union relationships, claims and disputes, apprenticeship contracts, diversity and inclusion or any other workplace issues.

Manufacturing

Manufacturing

Food manufacturing is becoming an increasingly complex process. Customers want to know what their food contains, where it's coming from and how sustainable it is. Our lawyers can help ensure supply chain visibility, implement lot traceability and substantiate any green or health claims you're making. We can also support with allergen monitoring, quality control and product recalls.

Product labelling, packaging and marketing

Product labelling, packaging and marketing

We can help ensure you meet strict legal requirements on food labelling. From allergen information and nutritional declaration to green claims and recycling information. We can ensure that your labels feature all mandatory information and also support with compliant marketing.

Co-packing

Co-packing

Co-packing can save your business money and time, helping you keep up with increasing customer demand. But outsourcing elements of your production process also means diminished control over your production timelines and final product. This comes with risk. We can help draw up thorough commercial agreements to protect your business.

Product regulatory

Product regulatory

The UK governs food safety and product regulatory concerns more generally with a wide regulatory framework. Failure to comply with product safety guidelines can lead to product recall, reputational damage, fines and even imprisonment. Our team of food lawyers can work with you to manage these risks.

Client work

Food and drink - Client work - Perwyn

Perwyn

Perwyn

We advised Perwyn on its strategic investment in Crosta & Mollica, a B-Corp certified grocery business. This has created a great opportunity for Crosta & Mollica to expand its international presence.
Food and drink - Client work - National Milk Records

National Milk Records

National Milk Records

Our team advised National Milk Records on its recommended £48 million cash acquisition by Associated British Foods.
Food and drink - Client work - Flora

Flora

Flora

We advised Flora on packaging innovation under a significant contract with Footprint. This helped provide the world's first plastic-free, recyclable tub for plant butters and spreads.
Food and drink - Client work - Bakkavor

Bakkavor

Bakkavor

Our team of food industry lawyers advised Bakkavor Foods on its acquisition of Moorish Ltd, a leading humous brand.
Food and drink - Client work - Perwyn

Perwyn

Perwyn

We advised Perwyn on its strategic investment in Crosta & Mollica, a B-Corp certified grocery business. This has created a great opportunity for Crosta & Mollica to expand its international presence.
Food and drink - Client work - National Milk Records

National Milk Records

National Milk Records

Our team advised National Milk Records on its recommended £48 million cash acquisition by Associated British Foods.
Food and drink - Client work - Flora

Flora

Flora

We advised Flora on packaging innovation under a significant contract with Footprint. This helped provide the world's first plastic-free, recyclable tub for plant butters and spreads.
Food and drink - Client work - Bakkavor

Bakkavor

Bakkavor

Our team of food industry lawyers advised Bakkavor Foods on its acquisition of Moorish Ltd, a leading humous brand.
Food and drink - Client work - Perwyn

Perwyn

Perwyn

We advised Perwyn on its strategic investment in Crosta & Mollica, a B-Corp certified grocery business. This has created a great opportunity for Crosta & Mollica to expand its international presence.
Food and drink - Client work - National Milk Records

National Milk Records

National Milk Records

Our team advised National Milk Records on its recommended £48 million cash acquisition by Associated British Foods.
Food and drink - Client work - Flora

Flora

Flora

We advised Flora on packaging innovation under a significant contract with Footprint. This helped provide the world's first plastic-free, recyclable tub for plant butters and spreads.
Food and drink - Client work - Bakkavor

Bakkavor

Bakkavor

Our team of food industry lawyers advised Bakkavor Foods on its acquisition of Moorish Ltd, a leading humous brand.
Food and drink - Client work - Perwyn

Perwyn

Perwyn

We advised Perwyn on its strategic investment in Crosta & Mollica, a B-Corp certified grocery business. This has created a great opportunity for Crosta & Mollica to expand its international presence.

Key contacts

Dan Smith

Dan Smith

Legal Director

Head of Advertising Law (UK)

London
David Lowe

David Lowe

Partner

Head of Commercial Contracts
Co-Chair of ThinkHouse

London, Birmingham
View our team
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Gowling WLG is an international law firm comprising the members of Gowling WLG International Limited, an English Company Limited by Guarantee, and their respective affiliates. Each member and affiliate is an autonomous and independent entity. Gowling WLG International Limited promotes, facilitates and co-ordinates the activities of its members but does not itself provide services to clients. Our structure is explained in more detail on our Legal Information page.

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