Leveraging the combined strength of its London, Dublin and Brussels offices, Covington & Burling LLP handles pan-European emergencies, regulatory investigations, advertising complaints and administrative challenges on behalf of a broad spectrum of major players in the food and beverage industry. Recently, the team has been particularly actively advising on issues concerning food supplements, cannabis and related products, vegan alternatives, and personalised nutrition. Bart Van Vooren takes the lead, supported by a deep associate bench which includes Rosa Oyarzabal and Yuliya Gevrenova.

DALDEWOLF's ‘unique’ team combines expertise in food regulations with a deep knowledge of consumer, advertising, contracts, distribution, competition and intellectual property law. The group also has a strong record in crisis management relating to product bans and contamination, including cross-border proceedings and litigation before European and domestic courts. Food and beverages industry sector specialist Aude Mahy is singled out as ‘really an expert in her field,’ and is instructed by producers and operators across the supply chain, alongside retailers.

Boutique firm Food Law Science & Partners - which was established by dedicated specialist Katia Merten-Lentz in 2021 - is valued by clients for its ‘strong foundation of expertise and experience.’ The team is widely known for handling high-stakes arbitration and litigation, representing household names before national and EU courts, as well as domestic and international authorities. Recently, the group has been increasingly involved with the process of bringing novel products to market, and has also seen a growing focus on food safety work, including crisis management.

The world’s best known food and beverage producers, manufacturers, and retailers form the core of Hogan Lovells International LLP‘s client base, which also includes start-ups, trade associations and non-profits. The team has deep knowledge of issues affecting every stage of the production and distribution cycle, and is consequently well placed to navigate complex compliance matters, as well as dealing with crisis management, including product recalls. Senior EU regulatory affairs advisor Jacqueline Mailly is the key contact.

At Baker McKenzie CVBA/SCRL, Brussels-based Geert Bovy leads the firm's European food law practice group, which comprises specialists from across the region. The ‘pragmatic’ team is particularly active in advising national and international clients on product denomination issues, food contact materials, contaminants in food, labelling issues, and comparative advertising matters. In addition, the offering extends to relevant regulatory aspects of M&A deals. On the contentious side, nutrition and health claims, and cases around sustainability are a regular source of work.

Bird & Bird's client base comprises food and beverage producers, distributors and retailers, biotech companies and other innovative operators. The team's proficiencies span the entire lifecycle of food and beverage production and marketing, from research and development to processing, brewing, packaging, labelling, advertising, and distribution issues. The key contact is Nicolas Carbonnelle, who was promoted to partner in May 2022.

Keller and Heckman LLP‘s ‘highly skilled’ food department is sub-divided into two further groups, direct and indirect food; Rachida Semail predominantly focuses on food contact matters, but has oversight of both sub-teams, while Hazel O'Keeffe specialises in packaging and sustainability issues. In June 2023, the practice further expanded its strength with the hire of UK-qualified practitioner Craig Simpson, who joined from the European Free Trade Association.

The ‘very dedicated’ cross-practice offering at ALTIUS spans contentious and advisory mandates relevant to food and drink producers, agri-biotech companies, plant and animal breeders, sector organisations, and governments. Product liability cases, labelling and advertising matters, and consumer protection issues all form part of the regular workload. Philippe de Jong and Olivier Vrins bring a strong IP focus to the group.

DLA Piper fields a ‘diverse’ cross-departmental team of specialists who come together to assist some of the largest multinationals in the food and beverage sector. Alexis Fierens provides IP and commercial expertise, while Bob Martens has extensive experience in handling litigation before various Belgian and European institutions and courts. Counsel Lieven Annaert is noted for his regulatory prowess.

Noted particularly for its strength in advising on government regulatory issues, Jones Day is regularly instructed to handle product authorisations, and labelling and recall issues. Ursula Schliessner is highly regarded for her expertise in matters relating to novel foods, including notifications under the simplified procedure. The group regularly collaborates with the firm’s competition, corporate, litigation, tax and employment practices.