As autumn deepens in Brussels, so too do the political divides shaping the future of food and sustainability policy across the EU. This month’s edition captures a moment of flux, including the European Parliament’s rejection of a key simplification mandate under the sustainability reporting rules and the Commission’s recalibrated timeline for the EU Deforestation Regulation amid mounting pressure from both industry and environmental groups.
Meanwhile, the Parliament’s vote to ban “veggie burger” labels has reignited ideological tensions between traditional agriculture and the alternative protein sector, raising fresh questions about the EU’s commitment to sustainable food systems. Romania’s blocked Nutri-Score rollout adds another layer to the ongoing debate over harmonised nutrition labelling, with Italy doubling down on its opposition.
Looking ahead, the Commission’s 2026 Work Programme signals a strategic pivot: innovation and simplification are continuing to be a highlight of this Commission’s agenda while plant-based policy momentum appears to be waning. With the Livestock Strategy and European Biotech Act on the horizon, and EFSA’s long-awaited evaluation due next year, stakeholders across the food and agriculture landscape must prepare for a regulatory environment that is both politically charged and operationally complex.
In this issue, we unpack the latest developments, decode the political undercurrents, and spotlight what’s next for businesses navigating EU food and sustainability policy.
The Whitehouse Food & Nutrition Team
Policy and regulatory developments
European Parliament rejects simplification mandate on sustainability and due diligence rules.
On 22nd October, the European Parliament voted to reject the ENVI Committee’s mandate to simplify sustainability and due diligence obligations under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). The proposal, part of the Commission’s Omnibus I packagepresented on 26th February 2025, aims to ease administrative burdens on companies following delays to the application of both directives. For context, the CSRD requires EU companies (and qualifying EU subsidiaries of non-EU companies) to report publicly on their ESG impacts, while the CSDDD mandates large EU and non-EU companies to actively identify and address risks to people and the environment across their supply chains. Despite earlier support from centrist groups, the mandate was narrowly defeated in a secret ballot, 318 against, 309 in favour, 34 abstentions, reopening negotiations ahead of the next plenary vote on 13th November. The rejection follows a 13th October compromise at the JURI Committee among Parliament’s main parties to exempt smaller firms from key obligations, aligning with Council preferences. Once adopted, MEPs will be ready to begin negotiations with the Council, which adopted its position on 23rd June, to finalise the legislation by the end of 2025. The setback underscores ongoing divisions over how far the EU should go in its simplification agenda to ease sustainability and due diligence requirements for companies, with trilogue talks still expected to begin before year-end.
Commission confirms deadline for the implementation of EU Deforestation Regulation
This month, the European Commission revised its approach to implementing the EU Deforestation-free Regulation (EUDR). Initially proposing a one-year delay to late 2026 due to IT system concerns, the Commission faced strong pushback from environmental groups and large companies. In response, it softened its stance: the official application date remains 30th December 2025 for large and medium-sized companies, with a six-month enforcement grace period until 30th June 2026. Micro and small enterprises would have until 30th December 2026 to comply. To ease administrative burdens, the Commission proposed exemptions for downstream traders and manufacturers from due diligence reporting, and a one-off declaration for small primary operators in low-risk countries. In September, major food companies, including Nestlé, Ferrero, and Mars, urged the Commission to stick to the original timeline, citing significant investments in compliance. While some have welcomed the revised proposal as a balanced compromise, supporting early movers while giving smaller firms more time. It has also created doubts regarding early IT difficultiesclaimed by the Commission, which seems to be under great pressure to deregulate by right-wing populist political forces within and outside the EU. The proposal still requires approval from the European Parliament and Council, which already appears more difficult than expected by the Commission.
European Parliament votes to ban “veggie burger” labels
Earlier this month, the European Parliament voted to prohibit plant-based and lab-grown products from using meat-related terms such as “burger” or “sausage”. Proposed by French centre-right MEP Céline Imart, the measure aims to protect consumers from confusion, though critics argue it reflects ideological resistance to alternative proteins rather than genuine consumer concern. Environmental, consumer, and animal rights groups point to research conducted by consumer organisation BEUC in 2019 showing that European shoppers understand and accept meat-style labels on plant-based foods. In a 2020 letter to MEPs, BEUC maintained that these “meaty” names on plant-based foods make it easier for consumers to integrate these products into their daily meals. Following the first trilogue on the Common Market Organisation reform on 14th October, the ban appears likely to survive negotiations, as the Danish presidency is focused on other amendments and the Commission has indicated it could accept the restrictions. Unless Member States instruct the Danish Presidency otherwise, the measure is expected to remain in place ahead of the next trilogue scheduled for mid-November. The decision has reignited tensions between the meat industry and the alternative protein sector and has raised questions about the EU’s commitment to promoting protein diversification for sustainable food systems.
Brussels blocks Romania’s Nutri-Score rollout
The European Commission has halted Romania’s planned introduction of the Nutri-Score front-of-pack label, warning that the country’s draft law could breach EU rules. In an opinion issued by DG GROW, Brussels argued that the proposed measures might duplicate existing EU requirements, create legal uncertainty for businesses, and risk fragmenting the internal market by introducing national rules that differ from those applied elsewhere in the EU. It called on Romania to amend its draft to ensure compliance with EU law before proceeding with adoption. Italy, long opposed to Nutri-Score, added its own objection, arguing that it breaches EU law and risks misleading consumers. Italy contends that Nutri-Score constitutes a nutrition or health claim under EU law, which cannot be used without prior EU authorisation. It also argues that the proposal is based on the wrong part of the EU food labelling law. Italy further warns that Nutri-Score’s colour-coded design oversimplifies nutritional information and may confuse consumers. Romania has until 10th December to amend or defend its proposal. This marks an interesting development, as Italy, which has long opposed the adoption of an EU-wide Nutri-Score scheme, is now also challenging its introduction at the national level by other Member States.
On 21st October, the European Commission released its work programme for 2026, setting out plans for new legislation and the simplification and review of existing EU rules. While the Commission did not announce any new initiatives in the food and agriculture sector, it confirmed timelines for previously announced measures and indicated which files are not being prioritised.
The Commission plans to launch a “Buy European Food” campaign to support European farmers. After the previous Commission mandate, where farmers across Europe fiercely protested various environmental measures, it appears that the Commission’s new priority is to stay in the farmers’ good books. This is also evident from the Commission’s plan to publish a new Livestock Strategy in Q2 2026, to foster the competitiveness, resilience, and sustainability of the sector.
The Protein Strategy is notably absent; however, the Commission committed to developing this in its “Vision for Agriculture and Food”, published in February 2025, so we can still expect this later in the mandate.
A key initiative is the European Biotech Act, which will be rolled out in two steps. The first, due before year-end, will focus on health. The second, planned for Q3 2026, will broaden the scope to the wider biotech ecosystem, including food innovation. It remains to be seen what this could include, with stakeholders calling for streamlining of novel food authorisations. However, this topic has become highly political, with certain Member States keen to defend traditional European food culture, which could potentially limit the ambition of this initiative.
The Commission has confirmed that the Evaluation of the European Food Safety Authority is expected to conclude in Q2 2026. Industry has long raised concerns about EFSA’s slow risk assessment process, which increasingly discourages many businesses from entering the EU market or developing innovative new products. The new Executive Director of EFSA, Nikolaus Kriz, has himself acknowledged that the organisation should be faster and more productive.
On the sustainability front, there will be the Circular Economy Act in Q3 2026, which will simplify and digitalise Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes. This will be welcomed by many in the food industry, which has been raising concerns about the disproportionate administrative and financial burden they impose.
Overall, the European Commission’s 2026 Work Programme signals a cautious but steady focus on innovation, simplification, and support for European agriculture.
Shaping the future of sustainable food systems
This month’s top industry initiatives selected by the Whitehouse team:
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Lidl commits £30 billion to British food and farming: Lidl GB has announceda £30 billion investment over five years to strengthen British food and farming. The commitment doubles its previous pledge and supports over 650 UK suppliers across categories, including fruit, vegetables, meat and poultry. The funding will enable long-term partnerships with farmers and growers in England, Scotland and Wales, backed by sustainability initiatives such as 100% LEAF Marque certification, water catchment projects, and a £1.5 billion boost to British beef production. The investment aligns with Lidl’s growth strategy and supports regenerative land management through digital tools like the Ruumi app, reinforcing its role in building resilient food systems.
- PepsiCo and Soil Capital expand regenerative farming across Europe: PepsiCo and Soil Capital have partnered to scale regenerative agriculture across over 35,000 acres of farmland in the UK, France and Belgium. The initiative targets rapeseed oil farmers in PepsiCo’s supply chain, offering financial incentives, expert agronomic support and digital tools to reduce synthetic inputs, improve soil health and cut carbon emissions. Early results show significant gains, including a 38% improvement in GHG balance in France and 36% in the UK. Cover crop adoption also rose sharply, enhancing water retention and soil organic matter. The programme supports PepsiCo’s goal to transition 10 million acres globally to regenerative practices by 2030, ensuring long-term sustainability for brands like Lay’s and Walkers.
Engagement opportunities
Open consultations
Engage with these consultations to shape the issues affecting your organisation:
- EFSA consultation on novel food application for synthetic kynurenic acid. Open until 5th November.
- European Commission consultation and call for evidence for the forthcoming Circular Economy Act. Open until 6th November.
- EFSA consultation on the safety of supplemental docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Open until 14th November.
- UK FSA consultation on its draft recommendation to authorise the first cannabidiol (CBD) food products as novel foods. Open until 20th November.
- UK FSA consultation on proposed ban of Bisphenol A (BPA) and similar chemicals in food contact materials. Open until 24th December.
Events calendar
- 18 - 19 November: POLITICO Health Care Summit (Brussels)
- 27 November: Westminster Nutrition Forum Next steps for novel foods in the UK (Online)
- 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)
Get in touch: Zoé Choulika, Account Manager, Food, Public Health and Sustainability zoe.choulika@whitehousecomms.com