Administrative & Regulatory Law · European Union
Navigate the Rules of Food Law With a Specialist By Your Side
Labelling, safety, hygiene, additives, novel foods and marketing claims are governed by a dense web of EU and national rules — and a single violation can halt a product line or trigger a recall. We match you, free of charge, with a lawyer who handles food law for producers, importers and retailers across Europe every day.
- Labelling, safety & recall expertise
- Lawyers across the EU & EEA
- No fee to get matched
No commitment. No hidden fees.
Get matched with a lawyer
Tell us about your situation and receive a free, confidential case review.
Who this is for
For producers, importers, distributors and anyone who places food on the European market
Food law is the body of rules that governs what may be sold as food, how it must be made, labelled, marketed and traced. It covers food safety and hygiene, labelling and nutrition claims, additives, flavourings and enzymes, novel foods, contaminants and maximum residue limits, and the general principles of EU food regulation that member states apply in their own way. The stakes are high and immediate: a non-compliant label can force a product off shelves, an unreported safety issue can trigger a recall, and an unauthorised health claim can expose a brand to regulatory action. Because requirements differ between product categories and between countries, businesses often discover a problem only when an authority flags it. A specialist helps you comply before launch rather than defend after the fact.
Why food businesses get stuck
Food products fail at the shelf, not in the kitchen.
The gap is usually regulatory.
Labelling and claim rules differ by product, by country and by target consumer, and they are updated constantly.
Non-compliant labelling
Mandatory particulars, allergens, origin, nutrition declarations and language requirements vary by product and member state. A missing element or an imprecise claim can be enough for a product to be pulled or refused at the border.
Unauthorised claims
Nutrition and health claims are tightly regulated, and wording that sounds harmless — ‘natural’, ‘light’, ‘boosts immunity’ — may not be permitted. Making a claim the rules do not allow can expose a brand to enforcement and misleading-marketing complaints.
Safety and recall risk
When a contamination or allergen issue emerges, the legal duties to notify authorities and withdraw products move fast. Businesses that lack a documented traceability and recall plan can face serious consequences from a single incident.
What you get
A food law lawyer who keeps your products on the market
We only match you with regulatory lawyers who work with food businesses on a regular basis.
Label review
A line-by-line review of your label against current EU and national requirements — ingredients, allergens, nutrition, origin and language — so your product clears the border and the shelf check the first time.
Claims & marketing
Clear guidance on which nutrition and health claims you may lawfully make for your product category, and how to word packaging and advertising so it is both persuasive and compliant.
Product compliance
Advice on novel foods, additives, contaminants and food-contact materials, confirming whether your recipe, process or packaging needs a specific authorisation before it can be placed on the market.
Recall readiness
A practical traceability and recall framework for your business, so that if a safety issue ever arises you know exactly who to notify, how, and on what timeline — in every country where your product is sold.
Coverage
Food law lawyers across Europe
EU food law sets a common framework, but national rules on labelling language, enforcement and specific product categories still vary. We match cases across the following countries and beyond:
Frequently asked
Food law — common questions
What does food law actually cover?
Food law covers everything from food safety and hygiene to labelling, nutrition and health claims, additives, novel foods, contaminants and traceability. It is set largely at EU level but applied through national rules, so requirements can differ between countries and product categories.
What information must appear on a food label?
Requirements vary by product and member state, but labels typically must show the name of the food, ingredient list, allergens, net quantity, durability date, storage conditions, the producer’s details and a nutrition declaration. A lawyer can confirm the exact, current list for your specific product and target market.
Can I make a health claim about my product?
Only if the claim is authorised under EU rules and your product meets the relevant conditions. Many everyday phrases are treated as regulated health claims, and using an unauthorised one can trigger enforcement. A specialist can tell you which claims are lawful for your specific product.
What is a novel food?
A novel food is a food or ingredient that was not commonly consumed in the EU before a set reference date, and it generally requires authorisation before it can be marketed. Examples include certain new proteins, ingredients and production methods. If you are unsure whether your ingredient qualifies, a lawyer can advise.
What should I do if my product needs a recall?
If a safety issue emerges you should notify the relevant authorities and withdraw the product promptly, following a documented traceability plan. The exact duties vary by country, so acting through a lawyer who understands the national notification rules is strongly advisable in a live incident.
Do I need a lawyer before launching a food product?
It is strongly recommended. A pre-launch review of your label, claims, ingredients and compliance position costs far less than a border refusal, a shelf pull or an enforcement action later, and it confirms you meet the specific rules of each country where you plan to sell.
Free case review
Launch your product with confidence, not with fingers crossed
Tell us what you make or sell, and we’ll connect you with a food law lawyer who handles products like yours — free of charge, with no obligation to hire.