Welcome to the Retail, Food & Hospitality Regulatory & EU round-up. Week ending 22 June 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 updates

Guidance published on use of Dynamic pricing: The Competition and Markets Authority has published an update on its study of dynamic pricing together with guidance for businesses using dynamic pricing. The CMA found the technique where prices are adjusted rapidly and frequently in response to demand to be in common use in a range of sectors including air travel, hotels, and ride hailing apps and that with AI and other technologies there is the potential for it to become increasingly prevalent and complex. The CMA concluded that dynamic pricing can be consistent with effective competition and good outcomes for consumers but that it can also lead to poorer outcomes in certain circumstances, such as when consumers are confused or concerned because prices change rapidly and they are unsure why. The guidance or ‘tips’ suggest that businesses should:

1. Be transparent about pricing
2. Be clear that prices can change
3. Consider what customers need to know
4. Present information clearly
5. Explain important terms
6. Consider vulnerable consumers
7. Don’t make consumers make snap decisions
8. Don’t change prices while customers are paying

View >

Safety warning advice issued on slush-ice drinks: The Food Standards Agency and Food Standards Scotland have jointly issued warnings on the making and consumption of slush-ice drinks containing glycerol. The revised advice is that they should not be consumed by children under seven years of age and that children under ten should not be offered free refills. Consumed at high levels, glycerol can cause very low blood sugar levels and unconsciousness in young children.   View >

Scottish Government to align controls on high fat, salt and sugar foods with rest of UK: The Scottish Government has recognised that consistency of approach with England and Wales will help to minimise the regulatory burden on businesses helping to minimise the potential for pass through cost to consumers, which was a concern for individual respondents to its consultation. It is anticipated that rules in line with those in England will be brought into force in autumn 2026 following a one year implementation period. View > Association of Convenience Stores >

High court allows evidence from Groceries code adjudicator in veg delisting case: Sustain has highlighted a decision by the High Court to admit evidence from the Groceries Code Adjudicator in a case involving apparent cancellation of orders for Brussel sprouts at short notice by ALDI. View >

EU updates

Defra Publish updated list of products requiring ‘not for EU’ marking: Shelf-stable soup stocks and flavourings packaged for the final consumer are exempt if they contain products of animal origin other than meat. Those containing meat are not exempt. View >

EU Publish details of A-E rating scheme for labelling of electrical products: The EU Commission has published details of a new statutory scheme for the rating and labelling of electrical products (initially smart phones and tablets) as to their repairability to be used in conjunction with energy labelling. View >

WRAP EU launched: WRAP has highlighted launch of WRAP EU through a partnership of the global environmental action NGO WRAP and the International Food Waste Coalition (IFWC). In a meeting convened members of the European Commission, senior business executives from the food, plastics and clothing sectors, bankers, NGOs, trusts & foundations and MEPs. Delegates were invited to discuss how the EU can move from a damaging linear business model of take, make and dispose to a more Circular Living model of reuse, repair and remanufacture - beginning with food, textiles, and manufactured products which account for nearly half (45%) of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions. The meeting also introduced WRAP’s new CEO Catherine David and Executive Director of WRAP EU Sofie Schop. View >

EU Regulations:

• Setting maximum residue levels for plant protection products: cyantraniliprole, cyflumetofen, deltamethrin, mefentrifluconazole, mepiquat and oxathiapiporlin >
• Authorising biocide: Prodhynet’s lactic acid based product family >
• Authorising plant protection product: lysate of Willaertia magna >

European Food Safety Authority opinions:

• On feed additives: endo-1,4-beta-xylanase, endo-1,4 beta-glucanase and xyloglucanase > 6-phytase > xanthum gum >
• Pesticide risk assessment: nonanoic acid >

Developments to watch

DEFRA: Publish update on Avian flu outbreak – 20 June

View >

Grocery Code Adjudicator: Launch investigation of Amazon over prompt payment. View >

Pubs Code Adjudicator: Publish results of tied tenant survey 2025. View >

Food Standards Agencies: Publish annual report on food standards and safety for 2024. View >

Portman Group: Start to publish rulings based on pro-active marketplace surveys. View >

Department for Business and Trade: Publish summary of US-UK Economic prosperity deal. View

Chartered Trading Standards Institute: Call for the Regulation of cosmetic treatments. View >

For your information

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

Food and Drink Federation: Publish research showing 30% fat and salt reduction in retail processed foods. View > View >

Government Chemist: Publish a quantitative analysis of sustainable UK novel food production. View >

DEFRA: Publish monitoring plan for pesticide residues in food for 2026-2028. View >

Environment Agency: Publish detailed report on flame retardant chemicals. View >