Welcome to the Retail, Food & Hospitality Regulatory & EU round-up. Week ending 28 September 2025

This week’s regulatory developments in order of importance, so you can ensure you're up to date with the latest changes impacting your business. 

Retail, Food & Hospitality Important updates

Select Committee highlights weaknesses in sanitary checks at UK borders: The Parliamentary Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee has published a detailed report on the UK Border Target Operating model in respect of sanitary checks required on imports at the UK border. The Committee concluded that current arrangements are falling short of expectations due to a combination of lack of enforcement, poor IT systems, lack of consultation and support from Local Authorities. The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health has called on Government to heed the warnings and take up the open offer from CIEH to develop a stronger future system Press release > Publication >

Association of Convenience Stores highlight HFSS promotion rules in force from 1^st October: From 1^st October 2025 the ban on retail promotion of high fat, salt and sugar foods will come into force. Multibuy offers, % discounts, and loyalty scheme promotions will be caught by the ban. Meal deals’ and pre-packaged multipack offers will still be allowed under the legislation. The Association of Convenience Stores has published ‘assured advice’ under the Primary Authority system on the new rules. View >

Alcohol watchdog issues Retailer alert: The Portman group has issued a Retailer Alert Bulletin urging retailers not to stock O.J. Premium strong beer 8.5% Vol which the group believes contravenes its code by placing undue emphasis on the drinks alcoholic strength. The product produced by Liquor Zaar was identified in market surveillance activity funded by the Portman group. View >

Rules published for Digital markets competition regime levy: The Competition and Markets Authority has published a detailed paper as to how a levy to fund its enforcement of the Digital Markets Act will be funded by businesses of strategic market significance. View >

EU updates

EU Commission identifies fraud and food safety issues in marketing of cinnamon: The EU Commission has published research across ten countries finding significant food standards and food safety breaches of EU law in the marketing of Ceylon cinnamon. Issues included substitution of Ceylon cinnamon the most valuable variety, with cassia, a cheaper and less aromatic alternative. As much as 9% of the samples labelled as Ceylon cinnamon, were totally or partially substituted by Cassia cinnamon.  Over 66% of the 104 samples analysed failed to meet international quality standards, were non-compliant with EU food safety legislation, suspected of fraud, and 31 samples exceeded the legal limits for coumarin limits a natural aromatic compound found in cassia and other plants, potentially toxic for liver. 9.6% of the samples did not comply with the maximum limit of 2 mg kg-1, set for lead by the European food safety legislation. View >

EU Commission highlight authorisation of ‘Safe’ genetically modified maize: The EU Commission has highlighted the passing of a regulation authorising food and feed use of a genetically modified maize for a period of ten years. EFSA had concluded that the maize is as safe as conventional product. eNews > Document >

EU Dg Internal market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SME’s consults on future of EU Standards regime: Planned for adoption in 2026, the revised regulation aims to make the standard-setting process faster, more responsive to policy needs, and more inclusive, especially for SMEs and startups. Responses are required by 17^th December 2025. View >

EU Decisions:

• On termination of EU Voluntary sustainable timber agreement with Cameroon (FLEGT): View >

EU Regulations:

• Authorising feed additives: L-Tryptophan > Targetes erecta extract >
• Setting maximum residue limits: fluralaner >

European Food Safety Authority opinions:

• On novel food: Akkermansia muciniphila >
• On feed additive: Pediococcus pentosacues > 

Developments to watch

DEFRA: Publish updates on disease outbreaks: Bird flu > Blue tongue >

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Publish list of designated standards for construction products: View >

Food Standards Agency: Publish latest set of consumer attitudes to food research data. View >

Marine Stewardship Council: Praise Iceland for being first frozen food retailer to achieve 100% certification of its frozen fish ranges. View >

UK Hospitality: Publish tracking tool for members on implementation plans of Scottish Local Authorities for visitor levies whilst urging councils to pause activities. View >

For your information

Non-food product safety alerts: Office for Product Safety and Standards > EU Safety Gate > US Consumer Product Safety Commission >

UK Health Security Agency: Publish update on work of its food microbiology reference laboratory to end of March 2025. View >

DEFRA: Appoint Alan Laidalw as ‘Commissioner for the tenant farming sector. View >

DEFRA: Announce appointments to its management board: Allison Ogden-Newton & Dan Corry >