Welcome to the Retail, Food & Hospitality Regulatory & EU round-up. Week ending 04 October 2026.

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

New minimum price for alcohol in Wales from 1^st October: The Welsh Government has issued a press release highlighting that a minimum price of 65p per unit of alcohol (increased from 50p) now applies in Wales. View >

Home Office launch consultation on poisons and explosive precursor changes: the government is proposing to add castor beans containing ricin and rosary peas containing abrin to the list of regulated poisons under UK law. This will make it a criminal offence to sell them to members of the public who do not hold a valid licence. The government is also seeking to make it harder for people to access other dangerous poisons and chemicals which can be used to make explosives. Responses to the consultation are required by 11 November. View >

Food Standards Agencies issue ‘Sandbox’ guidance on cell cultivated products: The Food Standards Agency and Food Standards Scotland have issued detailed guidance for food businesses developing cell cultivated products. The guidance covers regulatory authorisation > and the assessment of growth media components and toxicology > Together, they give innovative food businesses clearer, more detailed advice on how existing food regulations apply to cell-cultivated products, helping them prepare stronger applications and understand the standards they must meet to bring products safely to market in Great Britain. View >

Advertising watchdog rules on comments re consumption of non-conventional foods: The Advertising Standards Authority has upheld complaints about an Instagram video and pre-roll ad on YouTube for Huel Ltd which included a video of the founder of Huel, Julian Hearn, and Spencer Matthews, talking into microphones in the style of a podcast, on the basis that it condoned or encouraged the exclusive consumption of Huel in place of conventional food and also made health claims not on the GB National health claims register and general health claims not accompanied by a relevant specific authorised claim. View >

EU updates

EU Commission launch call for evidence on Europe wide training standards for fishermen: The European Commission has published a call for evidence on the introduction of possible EU standards for the training and certification of fishers working on EU vessels. The aim is to improve safety on board and make it easier for fishers to work in other Member States. Responses are required by 29 October. View > View >

European Food Safety Authority:

Publish paper on needs for maintaining scientific excellence and regulatory readiness: View >
Opinion on modification of existing maximum residue level: propyzamide >

EU Regulations and Decisions:

On biocides: Biobor JF > ethylene oxide > folpet > granulated copper > 2-methylisothiazol-3(2H) >
Authorising feed additives: clove essential oils >

Developments to watch

DEFRA and Scottish Government: Publish updates on Blue-Tongue epidemic. View > View >

Gambling Commission: Highlight new rules for Category B gaming machines from June 2027. View >

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Announce further action on leasehold service charges. View >

Grocery Code Adjudicator: Publish presentation slides from its September 2026 conference. View >

For your information

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

DEFRA: Announce funding to tackle food insecurity and affordability in 45 deprived areas. View > Sustain >

Association of Convenience Stores: Claim implementation of complete vape display ban would cost the sector £160m to implement. View >

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Only access by the addressee is authorised. Any liability (in negligence, contract or otherwise) arising from any third party taking any action, or refraining from taking any action on the basis of any of the information contained in this e-mail is hereby excluded. In the event that you are not the addressee, please notify the sender immediately. Do not discuss, disclose the contents to any person, or store or copy the information in any medium or use it for any purpose whatsoever. Copyright in this e-mail (and any attachments created by DWF Law LLP, belongs to DWF Law LLP which asserts the right to be identified as such and hereby objects to any misuse thereof. For the avoidance of doubt, DWF Law LLP does not accept service of documents by e-mail, and the use of e-mail does not imply that it is willing to do so, unless otherwise expressly agreed.

DWF Law LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales (registered number OC423384) with its registered office at 1 Scott Place, 2 Hardman Street, Manchester M3 3AA. DWF Law LLP is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority as an Alternative Business Structure. Our professional code of conduct can be accessed at https://www.sra.org.uk DWF Law LLP is listed on the Financial Services Register as an Exempt Professional Firm, able to carry out certain insurance mediation activities (regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority). The term 'Partner' is used to refer to a Member of DWF Law LLP or an employee or consultant with equivalent standing and qualification. A list of the Members of DWF Law LLP and of the Non-Members who are designated as Partners is open to inspection at our registered office, DWF Law LLP, 1 Scott Place, 2 Hardman Street, Manchester,Greater Manchester,M3 3AA,England. The recipient of this e-mail will, at all times, be dealing with DWF Law LLP unless it is clear from the context or specifically attributed to another DWF group entity unless it is clear from the context or specifically attributed to DWF in Ireland.