Welcome to the Retail, Food & Hospitality Regulatory & EU round-up. Week ending 05 October 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.

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Retail, Food & Hospitality Important updates

Consultation on proposed ban of Bisphenol A: The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has launched a public consultation on the proposal to ban the use of Bisphenol A (BPA) along with other bisphenols in materials that come into contact with food products. The consultation invites feedback on the principle of a ban, as well as on how it could be introduced covering scope, timelines, and transitional arrangements. Responses are required by 24^th December. View >

Grocery Code Adjudicator analyses 2025 supplier survey results: At its 2025 annual conference the Grocery Code Adjudicator published a detailed slide set on the findings of its supplier survey for 2025 of views on how well retailers are meeting the code requirements. The adjudicator also set out several areas for future focus including prompt payment and the making of forecasting and delisting decisions. View >

Advertising watchdog revisits guidance on targeting of advertising for age restricted goods and services: The Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) has refreshed its guidance on targeting age-restricted ads in online media. A fundamental rule is that age restricted products must not be advertised in media where more than 25% of the audience is under 18. CAP guidance > Key steps >

Gambling Commission analyse 2024 gambling survey results: The Gambling Commission has published a detailed report on consumer research in 2024 involving approximately 20,000 people on their attitudes and behaviours relating to gambling. The GC Chief Executive has set out action the Commission is taking and considering to address a number of the issues identified including:

light-touch financial vulnerability checks on those spending over £150 a month,
reduced intensity of all online games by banning autoplay and slowing game speed,
tightened age verification in premises,
banning potentially harmful marketing offers involving consumers having to carry out two or more types of gambling, such as betting and playing slots,
limiting the number of times bonus funds must be re-staked before a consumer can withdraw winnings.
Requiring all gambling businesses to prompt their customers to set a financial limit before they make their first deposit.
In the land-based sector the GC are considering time and monetary limit setting functionality and safer gambling messaging on machines.
The GC are also piloting enhanced frictionless financial risk assessments for those spending £1,000 within 24 hours or £2,000 within 90 days.

View >

EU updates

EU Commission issue press release on phase out of PFAS chemicals in firefighting foams: The EU Commission has adopted an amendment regulation restricting the use of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in firefighting foams under the REACH Regulation. Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/1988 will formally enter into force on 22^nd October. It will take effect after transition periods of between 12 months and 10 years, depending on the use, allowing time for replacement by safer and effective alternatives. Press realase > Document >

European Food Safety Authority opinions:

On assessment of neurotoxicity and endocrine disruption: acetamiprid >
Consultation on authorisation of GM food ingredient: soyleghemoglobin > Responses required by 30^th October.

Developments to watch

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

Department of Health and Social Care: Publish updated assessment of business impact of promotion restrictions on high fat, salt and sugar foods at £18.2 million per annum. View >

Health and Safety Executive: Consult on revision of lifting and pressure system regulations – Responses required by 11^th November. View >

Advertising Standards Authority: Reject complaint re environmental claims by Shell business consultancy in its Linkedin advertising. View >

For your information

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

Ethical Trading initiative: Publish BLOG following recent fact-finding visits to India and Bangladesh. View >

US Food and Drugs Administration: Email guidance on legal sale of vapes to over 300,000 retail outlets. View >

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