KROHN Rechtsanwälte comprehensively advises a diverse client roster, including international companies and start-ups, which the team also supports in contentious proceedings before courts and relevant authorities. The team is well versed in advising across various interfaces such as competition, trademark, trade and distribution law as well as on topics pertaining to supply chains; this is further complemented by expertise in cosmetics and pharmaceutical law. This offering is regularly called upon in connection with the advice on product developments, additives, packaging and green claims as well as labeling and advertising matters. The key contacts of the Hamburg-based team include partners Moritz Hagenmeyer, Carl von Jagow and Tobias Teufer (who are all well versed in the food and consumer goods sector) as well as counsel David Zechmeister, who routinely advises across the tobacco and cosmetics sectors.
Consumer goods and food law in Germany
KROHN Rechtsanwälte
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‘Quick, unbureaucratic accessibility, even on weekends and in the evenings. Very competent solutions, cooperation on an equal footing with a high level of technical competence.’
‘Tobias Teufer and his colleagues are flexible and easy to reach, and very reliable even outside of regular business hours. They admit when they don’t know something and do the research. I am very satisfied.’
‘What makes the practice unique is the easy accessibility of the partners and the ability to provide tailor-made solutions for often novel legal paths. The legal advice given is always pragmatic and directly implementable.’
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- Ongoing advice and legal representation of a large international food manufacturer against product imitations by a competitor. Following a ruling by the Federal Court of Justice (BGH), the proceedings regarding the ban on imitations were again brought before the Higher Regional Court (OLG), which again ruled in favor of the client. In the meantime, the BGH ruled again and rejected an appeal by the defendant against non-admission for a second appeal. In addition, conducting subsequent damages proceedings on behalf of the client worth millions.
- Comprehensive advice and legal representation of a large international manufacturer of tobacco products on labeling and advertising. Representation in various injunctions and administrative proceedings regarding new product groups.
- Advising a EU-based confectionery company on the labeling and advertising of various products. During the reporting period, various labeling issues across the EU had to be clarified, as well as the use of nutritional and health-related information.
Zenk Rechtsanwälte
Zenk Rechtsanwälte impresses with comprehensive expertise in food law, which covers traditional aspects as well as the support in novel foods, infant and children's products and foods for special medical purposes (FSMP). This is complemented by competencies in interfacing matters such as medical devices, cosmetics, animal feed and tobacco products. The team advises on the entire value chain of a product including development, production, advertising, product feedback as well as the growth area crisis management and recalls; clients also benefit from the expertise in interfacing IP matters. Stefanie Hartwig regularly advises companies from the consumer goods sector on trademark and competition law as well as on product law. Sonja Schulz is well versed in crisis management and handles compliance, product liability and recall issues; here, Hartwig is also a key contact. Both regularly join forces with Carsten Oelrichs and take the lead in matters pertaining to labeling, advertising and marketing; all three are based in Hamburg and are the practice management. Lisa Feuerhake, who was appointed to partner in January 2024, is another key contacts and comprehensively covers food law.
Kernmandanten
Axxence Aromatic GmbH
Bayerischer Brauerbund e.V.
Coca-Cola GmbH
Freiberger Lebensmittel GmbH & Co. Produktions & Vertriebs KG
Frostkrone Tiefkühlkost GmbH
Garmo AG
Hech Europe GmbH
Iglo GmbH
Imex-Lykos Obst, Gemüse, Südfrüchte, griechische Spezialitäten, Import & Großhandel GmbH
Kiwa Deutschland GmbH
L.W.C. Michelsen GmbH
Lorenz Bahlsen
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cibus Rechtsanwälte
cibus Rechtsanwälte covers food and feed law matters and focuses on animal by-products, particularly products of animal origin, while also advising on the ingredients and labeling of vegetarian and vegan products as well as novel foods; Clemens Comans is a key contact for these areas. Comans is part of the Gummersbach-based team, which also includes Sascha Schigulski, Manuel Immel and Christian Weigel, who comprehensively advise on product labeling, contract drafting and also represent clients in criminal and administrative fine proceedings. Other mainstays are the support in additives and packaging matters, Weigel is a key contact for non-alcoholic beverages, product and operating approvals as well as import and compliance issues. Among the client roster are manufacturers, processing, retail and pharmaceutical companies as well as laboratories and medical device manufacturers.
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‘Extremely well connected; pragmatic and goal/result-oriented; quick comprehension and focus on the core aspects.’
‘Understandable language of the reports for further use in-house!’
‘Sascha Schigulski works quickly and is focused on the client’s interests.’
Kernmandanten
Fressnapf Holding / Fressnapf Tiernahrungs GmbH
Gothaer Allg.-Vers.-AG
Genossenschaft Deutscher Brunnen e.G.
PETCYCLE GmbH
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domeierlegal
domeierlegal specialises in advising across the food, cosmetics, animal feed and consumer goods sectors and focuses on the beverage industry as well as healthy and novel foods. Founding partner Danja Domeier covers issues regarding the development, ingredients, labeling, advertising and sale of products. Other mainstays include the representation of clients in administrative, criminal and regulatory proceedings as well as in competition law disputes. In addition, the practice offers support in compliance, crisis and recall management as well as in the import and export of goods.
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‘Personal contact, friendly, approachable demeanor.’
‘Very high level of expertise.’
‘Fast, always easy to reach and competent in all food law matters.’
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Gerstberger Products & Law
Ina Gerstberger is the key contact for Munich-based Gerstberger Products & Law and is routinely instructed by companies from the food, feed, animal care, chemicals and pharmaceutical industries on regulatory, competition and contract law matters and frequently acts as an external counsel to the project. Gerstenberger complements the legal advice with scientific expertise in biochemistry, where she regularly advises on the labeling, launch, delimitation and advertising of products as well as their manufacturing and sale. She is also experienced in competition and administrative disputes as well as in criminal proceedings.
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‘In the area of food law and consumer goods, as well as in the area of product law in general, Gerstberger is an absolute leader in the market. Very experienced and specialized. A safe bet even for difficult constellations.’
‘Ina Gerstberger has decades of experience in product law and is always up-to-date with all new regulations and legislation in Europe. She is very precise, persistent and combative.’
‘Strong specialization in food law, years of exclusive activity in this field, fast response time, personal support.’
Kernmandanten
Federation for Nutritional Mushroom Distributors e.V.
Dr. Willmar Schwabe GmbH & Co KG
Hawlik Gesundheitsprodukte GmbH
Naturafit Produktions GmbH
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- Ongoing advice to an international brand developer in the consumer goods and food sector on the marketability, labeling and advertising of food supplements, food contact materials, toys (e.g. magnetic boards for children), consumer goods, personal protective equipment and cosmetics as well as in connection with the new EU product safety regulation.
- Legal opinion for a European spice manufacturer on the effects of the UTP Directive and the AgrarOLkG on contracts with retailers, especially on the legality of Pay&Scan procedures.
- Legal opinion for a distributor of special cleaning and hygiene products and other household products on the effects of the UTP Directive and the AgrarOLkG on contracts with retailers, especially on the legality of Pay&Scan procedures.
CMS
CMS' combined expertise in food, competition, pharmaceutical and cosmetic law, practice head Heike Blank is a key contact here, is regularly called upon in connection with the delimitation and marketability of new products, product marketing and labeling as well as sales, compliance and liability issues. This cross-practice approach, which includes clients' representation in contentious proceedings, is complemented by frequent cooperations with other locations, which benefits national and international food and consumer goods manufacturers and online retailers.
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‘Very good combination of expertise and the ability to tailor that expertise to the client’s needs.’
‘Always available, very fast and flexible.’
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Gleiss Lutz
Gleiss Lutz routinely advises food retailers and food supplement manufacturers as well as manufacturers of non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages on regulatory issues pertaining to health claims and spirits, and also offers support in product development. IP expert Andreas Wehlau heads the team, which is well versed in matters at the interface between trademark and competition law. This is complemented by experience in the defense against fine proceedings and criminal investigations as well as the support in complaints procedures.
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‘A very good collaboration. The lawyers are characterized by speed and conscientiousness.’
‘A long-standing, trusting, professionally excellent and cordial collaboration with Andreas Wehlau. The foresight and the well-considered linking of different legal areas (such as food law and trademark law or food law and contract law, etc.) are particularly noteworthy.’
‘Looking at the big picture, but never losing sight of the individual details. National and international issues, including their connections, are always dealt with very conscientiously and quickly. In addition, tips are always given that could be of long-term importance. This means that risks in the present, near and distant future can be taken into account.’
Kernmandanten
Valora Holding AG
Farmaceutici Procemsa S.p.A
Fromm Lebensmittel GmbH
Rheinsberger Preussenquelle GmbH
Naturkäserei TegernseerLand eG
Sazerac
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Arnecke Sibeth Dabelstein
Food manufacturers, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage companies as well as cosmetics and medical device manufacturers are among Arnecke Sibeth Dabelstein's client roster. The team focuses on matters at the interface with IP law, including spirit drinks issues, a key contact for these topics is practice head Thomas Körber. Other mainstays include the advice on advertising campaigns, labels, product labeling requirements and launches, sales issues as well as related proceedings and out-of-court negotiations. The support in labeling matters pertaining to sustainability and green claims is a recent growth area.
Kernmandanten
Big Hug Nutrition GmbH
Vitamin Well AB
No Carbs Company AB
Barebells GmbH
The Very Good Food Company
The Very Good Butcher Company
The Very Good Cheese Company
B&S International B.V.
Stada Arzneimittel GmbH
Dr. Theiss Naturwaren GmbH
Allgäuer Latschenkiefer GmbH
Pasta Roma GmbH
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- Comprehensive advice to Vitamin Well AB and No Carbs Company AB on food and competition law, including numerous approval procedures for fortified foods at the BVL. Most recently, advising on the market launch of a new, innovative meal replacement product.
- Advising Big Hug Nutrition GmbH on fortified beverages; supporting the entire process, including product development and launch.
- Advising the Werner & Mertz Group in a dispute regarding the applicability of the Biocidal Products Regulation to dual-use products.
GvW Graf von Westphalen
GvW Graf von Westphalen advises companies across the food and feed industry from its Hamburg location offering a full-service approach. The mainstays include the advice on food and feed law in addition to competition, antitrust, trade and media law matters as well as product liability; the media law expertise is frequently drawn upon in connection with crisis management. The practice is led by Ronald Steiling and Carsten Bittner, who are both well versed in administrative, feed and food law and also represent companies and associations from the food sector before national and European courts; Steiling also advises on animal welfare law. In January 2024, Markus Kraus (German and European food law; animal welfare and cosmetics law) joined from Weiss Walter Fischer-Zernin Rechtsanwälte.
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‘We have had nothing but positive experiences with all GvW employees. The work is carried out in a completely transparent manner, in a reasonable time and with completely transparent billing.’
‘We have complete confidence in the firm’s employees, they have a quick grasp of the context, are interested in the issues beyond a specific mandate, and are always very friendly and reliable.’
‘Ronald Steiling: Always available. Even on Sundays and public holidays if necessary. Very high level of competence, quick assessment of situations and therefore ability to act quickly. Very high level of specialist knowledge and industry knowledge.’
Kernmandanten
Südwestdeutsche Salzwerke AG
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Hogan Lovells International LLP
Hogan Lovells International LLP's consumer goods practice acts with a cross-location and cross-practice approach and regularly advises clients from the food and beverage sectors. In Munich and Düsseldorf, Florian Unseld boasts expertise in contract drafting, distribution law and regulatory issues, while Hamburg-based Christiane Alpers covers food, competition and packaging law issues and advises on regulatory matters regarding consumer protection and e-commerce. This is complemented by experience in supporting clients in enforcement measures by the relevant authorities and product recalls.
Kernmandanten
Fifth Generation
Lactalis Holländischer Käse
Moët Hennessy
Schwartauer Werke
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- Regulatory, contract and distribution law advice to a global beverage manufacturer.
- Advising a manufacturer of homeopathic products on the marketability of food supplements and representing the company in a complaint procedure before the Hamburg Consumer Protection Authority.
- Advising a US beverage company on compliance with EU regulations regarding ingredients in vegetable products for customers in the EU.
King & Spalding LLP
King & Spalding LLP's FDA & Life Sciences team focuses on contentious matters and regularly represents clients in product advertising disputes, delimitation proceedings as well as proceedings against parallel importers; here, the practice is particularly well versed at the interface between IP and pharmaceutical law. The team also covers these interfacing matters in an advisory capacity such as the support in product launches and advertising as well as online trading. The team is led by Ulf Grundmann in Frankfurt.
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‘The way we work is based on clear agreements and no measures are taken without the final consent of the client. This is a pleasantly clear client relationship on equal terms, where the client knows exactly where they stand.’
‘Ulf Grundmann: His comprehensive expertise in all areas of food, pharmaceutical and medical device law, combined with an independent and always autonomous judgment that does not shy away from clearly addressing uncomfortable truths, make him a reliable business partner for many years. When it comes to critically reflecting on something and yet pragmatically determining the viable path, he is the right person to contact.’
Kernmandanten
CSL Behring GmbH (Deutschland)
Olin Germany Upstream GmbH & Co. KG
Novartis
ratiopharm
SGF International e.V.
Eckes- Granini Group
GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare GmbH & Co. KG
biomo Group
Angelini Pharma Deutschland GmbH
Amy’s Kitchen
Heilerde-Gesellschaft Luvos Just GmbH & Co. KG
Gamers Only GmbH
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- Advising GSK Consumer Healthcare in a competition dispute concerning advertising claims for the Vitasprint Pro Immun product.
- Advising Amy’s Kitchen on food law within the EU and the USA.
- Advising the biomo Group on food law and regulatory issues as well as representing the company in competition law disputes.
KOZIANKA & WEIDNER Rechtsanwälte
KOZIANKA & WEIDNER Rechtsanwälte focuses on healthy foods such as food supplements, foods for medical purposes and novel foods. The team is led by Hamburg-based Michael Weidner and advises on delimitation, product developments and market launches as well as litigation. The latter primarily includes contentious competition and advertising law issues, as well as official complaints, including administrative and criminal proceedings.
Kernmandanten
Mitsubishi Gas Chemical
Perrigo Deutschland GmbH
Bundesverband der Pharmazeutischen Industrie e.V. (BPI)