AKD‘s team garners praise for its 'deep and detailed knowledge of food legislation'. The group is highly regarded for its strength in handling matters concerning food-specific regulations, including product compliance, food safety standards and labelling requirements, and is equally adept at handling litigation related to food. Practice head Barbara Mutsaers is a highly regarded food law expert, who is sought after for her expertise in advising on regulatory matters, contentious work and commercial contracts in the space. Another key member of the team is Erik Dans, who provides assistance on administrative food law matters, often representing food processing companies in enforcement proceedings.

Boutique firm Hoogenraad & Haak is highly regarded for its expertise in the food sector. The team stands out for its strong track record in appearing before the Dutch courts, the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) and regulatory entities in contentious food law issues, and is equally well versed in advising clients in the food and beverage space on advertising and IP work. Other key areas of instruction for the group include labelling, ingredients and product recalls, among other food safety issues. Practice head Ebba Hoogenraad is 'a true expert in the field of food law', and has extensive experience in advising on sustainability matters. Maarten Haak assists with IP issues, ranging form trade mark and packaging designs to contentious work. Lisanne Steenbergen brings expertise in advising clients on single-use plastics and sustainability issues.

Loyens & Loeff leverages its multi-disciplinary expertise in commercial, regulatory, tax and corporate law to support food and beverages companies on a range of work. Practice head Guido Koop has expertise in competition, regulatory and environmental law, and is very experienced in assisting food sector entities with compliance work and operational matters. Jacobine van Beijeren is well versed in acting for food business operators in regulatory issues. Nanne Kusters is a key contact.

The food and product compliance practice at Ploum has an established track record in acting for domestic and international importers, producers, manufacturers, brands and traders in contentious matters. The team is well-versed in representing clients in cases involving allegations of fraud, as well as enforcement actions brought by regulatory authorities. Practice head Marijn van Tuijl excels in handling regulatory matters, as well as litigation relating to international trade of goods and manufacturing issues. IP work is another key area of instruction for the group, with Willem Leppink assisting with trade mark issues. Customs work forms a key pillar of Jikke Biermasz' practice.

At Van Doorne, the food and beverages practice has a solid track record in advising on a broad range of commercial, corporate and contentious matters in the sector. Under the leadership of Lisette Bieleveld, the group handles cross-border matters concerning food-related M&A, distribution agreements and product recalls. Bieleveld is a key contact for contractual work and disputes in the industry; she is ably supported by Florence Verbeek, who is well versed in advising on consumer and product liability, product recalls and commercial contracts.

Van Traa Advocaten has established strength in advising matters across the whole food supply chain. Key areas of instruction include food safety issues, marketing, product recalls and enforcement matters. The group is equally strong in assisting with transport, logistics and international trade work involving the food sector. Silvia Gawronski leads the team, and is widely known for her expertise in EU organic food law. She often represents domestic and international companies and government entities in regulatory and enforcement matters in the food and beverages arena. Marc van Maanen has an excellent reputation for assisting with international trade and commodities matters.

BarentsKrans' agriculture and food team leverages its broader expertise in corporate and M&A, dispute resolution and competition law to assist clients with a range of matters, and is particularly strong in acting as counsel to beverage brands on mandates. Team lead Annelies van der Ploeg is well known for her experience in commercial contract law and commercial litigation, and regularly assists international and domestic companies in the food industry with franchising, manufacturing and purchase agreements, to name a few.

Bird & Bird‘s food and beverage team sits as a part of the wider international consumer products and retail departments, and leverages the firm's broad network to assist clients with a range of complex regulatory matters in the food sector. The group has solid expertise in advising food and beverage companies on IP matters, including trade marks, designs, copyright and patents issues related to ingredients, processing and packaging. The practice is co-led by the triumvirate of Manon Rieger-Jansen, who is well versed in assisting with brand and product design and trade mark work; Olav Klaver, a key contact for corporate-related issues; and Andy van Esdonk, who focuses on tax.

The consumer products team at CMS has a solid track record in acting for food and beverages sector entities on M&A transactions, IP and brand protection, and product launches, to name a few areas. Under the leadership of Aukje Haan and Mark Ziekman, the group continues to assist with ESG-related matters in the food and beverages sector. Haan is well versed in handling ESG work, as well as advising on liability claims. Ziekman assists with corporate and commercial issues in the sector. Akin Aslan is a name to note.

Boutique firm Maverick Advocaten N.V. specialises in competition law, and the team combines this expertise with 'excellent knowledge of the food sector'. The group fields extensive experience in assisting clients in the meat industry with a range of matters, and is equally strong in representing food companies in contentious work and regulatory matters. The practice is co-led by the triumvirate of Diederik Schrijvershof, Cyriel Ruers and Martijn van de Hel.

At Norton Rose Fulbright, the team is perhaps best known for its solid track record in assisting food and agriculture companies with corporate, banking, litigation and compliance work. The department is also sought after by food producers to advise on acquisitions and regulatory matters. Practice head Saskia Blokland is well versed in advising traders, processors, producers and financial institutions on transactional matters in the food and beverages space. Heimon Smits has established strength in handling joint ventures and M&A transactions in the food and agriculture sector.

At boutique firm Say Legal, food law is the sole focus of the practice. The department is well versed in assisting domestic and international clients with a broad range of matters, including packaging, sustainability and advertising work. Cross-border cases are another key area of instruction for the group. The ‘very knowledgeable‘ Sarah Arayess heads the practice, and stands out as ‘one of the most recognised food law experts in the Netherlands‘.