Welcome to the Retail, Food & Hospitality Regulatory & EU round-up. Week ending 9 August 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

Northern Ireland consultation on restrictions of promotion and pricing of less healthy foods: The Department of Health and Food Standards Northern Ireland have launched a consultation on the restriction of the promotion of foods high in fat, salt and sugar parallelling controls already in place in England and due to come into force in Scotland in October. Responses are required by 21 October. View >

Property agreement restrictions in prospect for Aldi and Lidl: The Competition and Markets Authority is minded to impose the same restrictions on Aldi and Lidl as apply to the larger supermarket chains in preventing them blocking the opening of other supermarkets close to their stores. The CMA are asking for responses on this by 7 September. View >

Advertising watchdog rulings on food promotion: The Advertising Standards Authority has ruled on a complaint regarding online advertising for Mondelez in association retailer Costcutter. The ASA found that advertising for Cadbury’s products was paid for advertising and went beyond brand promotion to the promotion of individual products that were high fat, salt and sugar foods. The ASA has also ruled that online testimonials for Turmeric Co breached code rules on claims that a product could prevent, treat or cure human disease. View > View >

Food Standards Agency publishes approach to supporting economic growth: The Food Standards Agency has published a detailed policy paper setting out five goals that it will seek to achieve to support economic growth. The goals are as follows:

Goal 1: support delivery of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement with the EU to maintain food standards and safety and remove trade barriers supporting the delivery of the UK’s agri-food trade ambitions by implementing changes required for a future sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement with the EU and helping businesses to understand and adapt to new requirements
Goal 2: national approach to regulation for large food businesses in England delivering the future of food regulation programme, including proposals for a new national approach to the regulation of large food businesses that reduces unnecessary burdens while maintaining public confidence, playing a key role in driving a more proportionate and effective regulatory system
Goal 3: deliver a regulatory sandbox programme for cell-cultivated products supporting innovation in the food sector by providing clearer regulatory pathways for emerging products, for example through work on cell-cultivated foods
Goal 4: using modern technology and AI approaches strengthening the use of data, intelligence and emerging technologies, including AI, to target regulatory effort more effectively and respond more quickly to risks
Goal 5: healthier food targets and reporting supporting DHSC efforts to improve UK diets.

View >

EU updates

European Food Safety Authority opinions:

On feed additives: montmorillonite-illite mixed layer clay mineral > nicarbazin >

Developments to watch

Scottish Government: Report on first meeting of National Council for Economic Growth. View >

Competition and Markets Authority: Publish update on continuing investigation of potential anti-competitive practices in the hotel accommodation sector. View >

DEFRA: Publish pesticide monitoring report for the fourth quarter of 2025. View >

For your information

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

Office for Product Safety Standards: Publish delivery report for 2025/6. View >

US Consumer Product Safety Commission: Note $16.8m penalty for business failing to immediately report unsafe product. View >

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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.