November has served up a full plate of policy twists, political shifts and a few unexpected ingredients shaping the future of food regulation on both sides of the Channel. As the year draws to a close, the EU’s food and sustainability agenda finds itself at a moment of strategic pause and recalibration. Across Brussels, institutions are revisiting timelines, reopening compromises and quietly adjusting priorities.
Pressure from Member States and the centre-right has pushed the EU’s landmark anti-deforestation law into the deregulation void. Once presented as a flagship environmental measure, it now faces another full-year delay and a lighter compliance regime after sustained political pushback.
EU-UK relations have also entered a new phase. With formal approval secured to open negotiations on a shared SPS area, both sides are preparing for what could become the most significant post-Brexit shift in agri-food relations, potentially removing key checks and streamlining cross-border trade.
Meanwhile, in the European Parliament, adoption of the Omnibus I negotiating mandate has redrawn the political lines on corporate sustainability. By voting alongside the Eurosceptic far-right, the European People’s Party (EPP) has officially broken the centrist alliance and the so-called “cordon sanitaire”. With trilogue talks now underway, significant differences remain on thresholds, climate transition plans and the scope of due diligence obligations – setting the stage for political negotiations over how far the EU will ultimately scale back its earlier ambitions.
Beyond headline legislation, discussions on gene-editing rules have intensified as institutions work to resolve longstanding disputes over patents and sustainability criteria.
In this issue, we unpack the latest developments, explore the political currents behind them, and unpack the debate on ultra-processed foods that has now firmly entered the regulatory arena – signalling a shift from scientific uncertainty to growing policymaker attention.
The Whitehouse Food & Nutrition Team
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Policy and regulatory developments
EU countries and EPP push for delay and simplification of deforestation law
While the European Commission rolled back on a proposed delay to the EU’s anti-deforestation regulation, the legislation – designed to ensure commodities such as cocoa, coffee, and palm oil entering the bloc are not linked to deforestation – is facing renewed challenges and calls for postponement. On 19th November, Member States agreed a mandate to revise the proposed regulation, pushing its application back by one year and easing compliance requirements. The European Commission had previously suggested a start date of 30th December 2025, with simplifying amendments and a six-month grace period, but the Council rejected this, opting instead for a full extension. Under its position, medium and large operators would comply from 30th December 2026, while micro and small firms would have until 30thJune 2027, with the option of a one-off simplified declaration. Due diligence obligations would fall solely on companies first placing products on the EU market, removing separate requirements for downstream operators. The Council also tasked the Commission with a simplification review by April 2026 to assess burdens on smaller firms. Meanwhile, the EPP has tabled amendments echoing the Council’s stance, while Socialists & Democrats (S&D) and Renew Europe proposed compromises that failed to gain support. Parliament will now adopt its position before entering negotiations with the Council to reach a final compromise.
EU-UK negotiations on SPS agreement kick start
On 13th November, the Council of the EU authorised the European Commission to open negotiations with the UK on establishing a common sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) area. As a reminder, the proposed agreement aims to simplify trade in food and agricultural products by aligning UK standards with those of the EU. If concluded, it would remove most certificates and checks on food, animal, and plant products moving between Great Britain and the EU. The agreement is expected to reduce regulatory burdens for businesses and deliver benefits to consumers. In parallel, the UK Department for Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra) hosted a stakeholder forum this month, outlining the state of play and expected timeline. Government representatives emphasised their ambition to conclude negotiations by 2026, with implementation potentially beginning in 2027. Defra also announced plans for workshops to support businesses in adapting to regulatory changes and gather feedback on transition needs. They also confirmed that exceptions to dynamic alignment will be limited in scope. Once negotiations are finalised, EU Member States will need to endorse the deal before it can enter into force.
European Parliament adopts Omnibus I position, paving way for trilogues on sustainability reforms
On 13th November, the European Parliament approved its negotiating mandate on the Commission’s Omnibus I package , effectively breaking the centrist coalition and so-called “cordon sanitaire” between pro-European and Eurosceptic MEPs. The package aims to ease administrative burdens on companies following delays to the application of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). The former requires EU companies (and qualifying EU subsidiaries of non-EU companies) to report publicly on their ESG impacts while the latter mandates large EU and non-EU companies to actively identify and address risks to people and the environment across their supply chains. Under the Parliament’s new position, the scope of the CSRD and CSDDD has been narrowed; with mandatory climate transition plans removed, civil liability to be enforced at national level and reporting standards streamlined, with sector-specific disclosures voluntary. Overall, a risk-based approach in the CSDDD will replace full value chain due diligence. Inter-institutional trilogues between the Parliament and Council began on 18th November. While there is broad alignment on turnover thresholds for EU companies and non-EU firms with listed securities, key divergences remain between the institutions on employee headcount thresholds, treatment of non-EU companies without listed securities, mandatory climate transition plans and the scope of due diligence obligations. Both sides also support introducing a value chain cap but differ on thresholds and implementation, signalling complex negotiations ahead.
EU moves closer to agreement on new genomic techniques rules
Discussions are ramping up on the EU’s New Genomic Techniques (NGTs) legislation, which would set out the rules for gene-edited plants and could create opportunities for faster market access and the development of crops with improved sustainability, resilience and resource efficiency. The third round of negotiations between the EU institutions on the file took place on 13th November, with the institutions hoping to conclude talks in the fourth round on 3rd December. Discussions have centred on the two main sticking points: patents and sustainability. On sustainability, technical teams will now work on defining it through a negative list of harmful plant traits that would exclude a plant from NGT-1 status, with consequences for producers who do not accurately declare such traits. On patents, technical teams continue to explore ways to incorporate safeguards demanded by MEPs. Divisions within Parliament persist, and far-right MEPs have signalled readiness to support the deal, creating a potential path to break the deadlock. Left-wing MEPs may be willing to accept a centrist compromise to prevent an even weaker deal from being pushed through with far-right support, reflecting an increasingly familiar dynamic in EU policymaking.
Is the UPFs debate here to stay?
The debate over ultra-processed foods (UPFs) has long divided nutritionists, policymakers, and the food industry. Critics argue that the term is vague, encompassing a wide range of products, and that evidence linking UPFs to poor health outcomes remains inconclusive. Industry voices emphasise that highly processed items can be nutritious, affordable, and convenient, and caution that broad regulatory measures risk penalising essential foods. Yet recent developments suggest that, regardless of scientific nuance, UPFs are rapidly moving from a contentious research topic to a tangible regulatory concern.
On 14th November, a leaked draft of the European Commission’s forthcoming Cardiovascular Health Plan revealed proposals for EU-wide taxes on highly processed, high fat, sugar, and salt (HFSS) foods and drinks. The plan, set to be published on 16th December, frames these measures within a broader strategy to prevent cardiovascular disease, including early detection, screening and treatment. A key element is a levy on certain highly processed foods, intended to incentivise reformulation, guide healthier consumer choices, and fund health policies. Although sector representatives condemned the plan, arguing that science-based policymaking has been abandoned, the very fact that such measures are under serious consideration marks a turning point.
This regulatory momentum is reinforced by the publication of a three-paper series in The Lancet on 19th November, highlighting links between UPF consumption and obesity diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic conditions. While the food industry has pushed back against these findings, emphasising classification issues and a lack of concrete evidence, public health campaigners see them as a call to action. Simultaneously, the World Health Organization (WHO) has convened a Guideline Development Committee on UPFs, reflecting the growing institutional focus on the issue.
Taken together, these developments suggest that UPFs have moved beyond a largely academic debate. Even if scientific consensus remains unsettled, the combination of EU legislative attention, high-profile research and international guideline development signals a regulatory environment that food companies can no longer afford to ignore. What may have once been a peripheral media story has become a pressing compliance challenge, with potential taxes, labelling requirements, and marketing restrictions on the horizon. For the industry, the message is clear: preparing for the era of UPF regulation is no longer optional but a strategic necessity.
by Vivien Keenleyside, Consultant at Whitehouse Communications
For businesses looking to expand, influence, and stay ahead in this evolving regulatory landscape, getting in early is essential. Our public affairs and regulatory consultancy can help you anticipate upcoming changes, strategise engagement with EU institutions, and identify opportunities to shape policy and market access. Reach out to discuss how we can support your growth and innovation strategy in the EU: Vivien.keenleyside@whitehousecomms.com.
Shaping the future of sustainable food systems
This month’s top industry initiatives selected by the Whitehouse team:
Tesco calls for national framework on farm data to bolster UK food security: Tesco UK has expanded its environmental baselining efforts with a £1.5m Sustainable Farming Programme, supporting 360 beef and lamb farmers to capture soil, water and nature data at scale for the first time. Delivered with Soil Association Exchange, the initiative will establish baseline measurements over 12 months, providing tailored advice to improve resilience and sustainability. Tesco is urging the Government to introduce a national data baselining framework to replace the current fragmented approach, citing research showing 91% of farmers want more support and 96% view inconsistent standards as a major barrier. Soil health emerged as a key concern for 64% of farmers. The programme builds on Tesco’s financial incentives scheme, which it launched in August to support Tesco’s dairy farmers to assess and establish a baseline for soil and water health on their farms; forming part of its Greenprint for UK Farming strategy to strengthen food security and sustainability.
Tate & Lyle extends regenerative agriculture programme into Europe: Tate & Lyle has launched a regenerative agriculture initiative in France to support corn farmers in adopting sustainable practices. Working with cooperatives Euralis and Maïsadour and technology partner Regrow Ag, the programme promotes low and no till, cover cropping and nitrogen management to improve soil health and reduce synthetic fertiliser use. Regrow’s AI-driven platform will track environmental outcomes across thousands of acres, providing data for farm planning and supply chain reporting. This expansion builds on Tate & Lyle’s established programmes in the US and China and aligns with its commitment to maintain regenerative acres equivalent to annual corn purchases. By combining local expertise with advanced monitoring, the company aims to strengthen supply chain resilience and accelerate climate action across Europe’s key corn-growing regions.
Think that your sustainable initiative deserves a shout out? Please contact: megan.page-cowman@whitehousecomms.com
Engagement Opportunities
Open consultations
Engage with these consultations to shape the issues affecting your organisation:
- UK FSA consultation on proposed ban of Bisphenol A (BPA) and similar chemicals in food contact materials. Open until 24th December.
Events calendar
- 2 - 3 December: POLITICO Sustainable Future Summit (Brussels)
- 2 - 4 December: Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU Boosting and mainstreaming the bioeconomy, and Transformative governance for food systems and biodiversity (Copenhagen)
- 15 December: Westminster Nutrition Forum Next Steps for food waste and reporting. (Online)
- 15 - 17 December: European Commission EU Agri-Food Days (Brussels)
- 20 - 21 January: Nutrition Society Winter Conference 2026: Pushing the Boundaries of Nutritional Science (London)
Do get in touch: Zoé Choulika, Account Manager, Food, Public Health and Sustainability zoe.choulika@whitehousecomms.com