Hitting the headlines…

Food & Drink stories in the news …

Government has updated its guidance on the final fees that suppliers and retailers will have to pay for their different packaging materials under the extended producer responsibility scheme. Invoices will be issued in August for payment in October.

The Department of Health and Social Care has confirmed that Government will introduce a Statutory Instrument to exempt brand advertising from forthcoming restrictions on less healthy food and drink advertising on TV and online under the Advertising (Less Healthy Food Definitions and Exemptions) Regulations 2024. The legal implementation date has been moved to 5 January 2026, though advertisers, broadcasters and platforms have voluntarily committed to observing the restrictions from 1 October 2025 under the Voluntary Industry Agreement on Less Healthy Foods.

DEFRA has published its consultation outcome regarding proposed reforms to food labelling requirements. The consultation focused on country of origin and method of production labelling. While acknowledging strong public support for enhanced country of origin information and animal welfare labelling, DEFRA indicated it will consider these reforms as part of broader UK food policy development, noting implementation barriers raised by stakeholders.

The European Commission has fined Delivery Hero and Glovo, two major food delivery companies, a total of EUR329 million for participating in a cartel in the online food delivery sector. Both companies admitted their involvement in the cartel and agreed to settle the case.

More than 1700 villagers from Malawi are suing UK multinational Associated British Foods in the English High Court. They claim flood defences protecting a sugar plantation owned by one of its subsidiaries diverted tropical storm floodwater into their village, destroying it and killing seven people. It’s the latest in a line of cases in which the courts have considered UK parent company liability for foreign subsidiaries. See our earlier briefings for practical advice.

A major report from the Food and Drink Federation revealed that UK food manufacturers are significantly investing in healthier products: 31% are reducing salt, 30% are cutting sugar, and 24% are lowering calories compared to a decade ago. You can read the report here

Government is considering expanding the Soft Drinks Industry Levy (SDIL), commonly known as the sugar tax, to include milkshakes and pre-packaged coffees. This potential expansion, part of a broader review of the SDIL, aims to further reduce sugar consumption and address health concerns related to sugar intake. The consultation proposes lowering the sugar threshold for taxation from 5g to 4g per 100ml and removing current exemptions for milk-based and milk substitute drinks. The consultation ends on 21 July 2025.