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Food Law

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Our comprehensive legal advisory services in food law​

Given the wide range of regulatory requirements that businesses in the food industry must consider (from product conception to development, production, and marketing) Rödl & Partner offers in-depth expertise in food law to support strategic and commercial decision-making across the entire value chain.

Our services include:
  • Product classification and legal distinction between product categories;
  • Verification of product compliance within EU Member States and third countries for market access;
  • Advice on product safety and product liability, including risk assessments;
  • Support in crisis management and communication (e.g., product recalls, withdrawals, RASFF notifications);
  • Guidance on quality control and hygiene compliance, including drafting and implementation of HACCP systems;
  • Advice on pesticides and contaminants;
  • Label compliance checks and optimization;
  • Legal assistance in product advertising, including nutritional and health claims, green claims, and clean label declarations;
  • Assistance with authorization procedures (e.g., novel foods, health claims, food and feed additives) and notification procedures (e.g., food supplements, fortified foods);
  • Recognition and registration of food and feed establishments;
  • Competition and antitrust law in the food sector, including advice on the prohibition of unfair trading practices and anti-competitive agreements;
  • Contract drafting and negotiation, including manufacturing, research, development and cooperation agreements, as well as commercial and distribution agreements and licensing contracts;
  • Intellectual property law, including protection of trademarks, patents, geographical indications, and designations of origin;
  • Customs law and EU foreign trade regulations;
  • Representation before administrative authorities and courts, including defense in criminal proceedings, the European Court of Justice, and the General Court of the European Union;
  • Assistance in dealings with national and EU authorities.

International and interdisciplinary legal advice for food businesses

Rödl & Partner supports both national and international companies in the food sector with a team of experienced lawyers who provide cross-border legal assistance from product development to commercialization.

Our food law services also include regulatory issues concerning product compliance, representation before national and EU authorities, defense in criminal and administrative proceedings, as well as litigation, competition law, and intellectual property matters.

We place great importance on the interdisciplinary nature of the food industry. When necessary, we collaborate with a trusted network of scientific experts to assess complex issues from a technological and scientific perspective, integrating this analysis into our legal advice.

Food law is strongly influenced by European and international regulations​. In this context, we leverage our global experience, deep knowledge of EU and international food law, and expertise in comparative law to develop innovative and tailored legal solutions for our clients.

Food law and materials in contact with food

Food products, as well as materials and articles intended to come into contact with raw materials or finished food products (such as food processing equipment, packaging materials, water filters, and items used for eating and drinking), along with feed, are all significant economic goods.

Numerous international, European, and national laws and administrative regulations govern their manufacture, distribution, and commercialization. In all EU Member States, businesses must adhere to the principle established under EU law that operators themselves are responsible, within reasonable limits, for ensuring regulatory compliance.

To avoid sanctions and mitigate corporate liability, businesses in the food and feed sectors must ensure compliance through continuous expert monitoring and the implementation of appropriate internal controls and procedures.​​ ​​​​

contact

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Dr. Barbara Klaus

Attorney at law (Italy), Attorney at law (German)

Partner

+39 02 6328 841

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