The EU and UK are getting ready to negotiate the details of their new trade relationship. In Brussels, the European Commission published its draft negotiation position for an EU-UK sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement. The proposal would require the UK to align closely with EU food safety and consumer protection rules although limited exemptions to this alignment are foreseen and will be agreed in the next few months.
It has been a busy month for the Commission, as it also took legal action against France for its labelling requirements linked to a sustainability logo. The case raises critical questions on the compatibility of Member States’ national recycling labels with internal market rules.
The European Commission also launched its new Life Sciences Strategy, setting a coordinated approach across the entire life sciences value chain to accelerate innovation, facilitate market access and build public trust in new technologies.
Meanwhile, Denmark has set an ambitious tone for its EU Council Presidency, placing climate and sustainability at the heart of its agenda. The Danish Presidency, which will chair and steer meetings between Member States between now and the year’s end, aims to explore a common EU Action Plan for Plant-Based Foods and an EU Protein Strategy, recognising the role of diversified protein sources in creating a more sustainable food system.
This month’s Food for Thought section features the UK’s National Food Strategy. While light on immediate policy changes, the Strategy offers insight into the Government’s future direction, which balances economic growth with health, while skirting debates on ultra-processed foods.
The Whitehouse Food & Nutrition Team
Policy and regulatory developments
The EU and UK get ready to start negotiations on a new SPS agreement
This month, the UK and the EU have taken active steps to prepare for a reset in their trade relationship. The European Commission published its draft negotiating position on an EU-UK sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement as part of the first tangible step forward in Brexit reset talks since the May summit between the two blocks. Under the proposals, the UK would be required to align with the EU’s SPS framework, covering food safety, and related consumer protection rules including regulations on labelling and marketing standards. Although the UK would not have a formal role or vote in EU decision-making, the Commission has proposed early consultation with London during policy development. The UK would need to implement new EU rules within set deadlines and contribute financially to relevant EU agencies and systems such as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in exchange for access to these. The EU position will now be scrutinised by Member States before formal negotiations with the UK begin. Meanwhile, UK Government departments are preparing their own position by actively engaging with stakeholders and through the launch of a call for evidence on the opportunities and risks of dynamic regulatory alignment with the EU, including discussions on limited exemptions to these dynamic alignment which will be agreed with the EU in the coming months.
European Commission unveils new Life Science Strategy and more research on Ultra-Processed Foods
On 2nd July, the European Commission launched its new Life Science Strategy, aiming to drive breakthroughs in health, food and sustainability. The Commission stresses the need to simplify regulatory pathways for market authorisation in the food sector and to improve efficiency through mechanisms such as experimentation clauses and regulatory sandboxes. The document also provides further information on the Commission’s plans for further research on ultra-processed foods (UPFs). It notes that with the uptake of new technologies, public understanding of this term is particularly critical, and highlights that a lack of clear information about the risks and benefits of UPFs can create uncertainty for consumers. The Commission therefore plans to seek scientific and ethical advice through the Scientific Advice Mechanism and the European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies. The document also announces plans for a strategic Research and Innovation agenda on food systems. This renewed focus on regulatory simplification and public engagement reflects the Commission’s broader ambition to boost innovation and economic growth.
Danish EU Presidency to prioritise protein diversification and plant-based
On 1st July, Denmark assumed the rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU. In its work programme, the country sets out plans to explore a common EU Action Plan for Plant-Based Foods and an EU Protein Strategy. There have been growing calls in recent years from civil society, MEPs and Member States for the EU to ensure protein diversification and tackle the EU dependency on imported protein crops as well as health and environmental concerns around animal-based protein. At a recent meeting of EU food and agriculture ministers, there was consensus on the need to boost the EU’s protein supply for livestock feed, however, several Member States voiced scepticism about efforts to curb meat consumption through the development of alternative proteins. Greece specifically called out lab-grown protein as a threat to producers of “natural food”. This shows the controversial nature of the debate around promotion of plant-based diets and alternative proteins. It appears increasingly unlikely that the Commission will explicitly promote a shift towards these and instead is more likely to focus its efforts on the issue of reducing EU dependency on third countries for protein crops through support of the EU’s own supply while acknowledging the role of both animal and plant proteins in the diet.
Commission refers France to EU Court over national waste labelling rules
On 17th July, the European Commission referred France to the Court of Justice of the EU over its national waste labelling requirements, including the “Triman” logo and “Info-tri” label. These rules mandate that all household products carry national symbols to guide consumers on sorting and disposal. However, the Commission argues such measures restrict the free movement of goods within the single market by forcing businesses to adapt packaging specifically for the French market. The case follows longstanding industry complaints and comes as the EU seeks to harmonise packaging and labelling rules under the new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). It also aligns with the Commission’s May 2025 Single Market Strategy, which sets out plans for a Circular Economy Act in late 2026 to address fragmentation across national Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes. The legal action underscores growing tensions between national environmental requirements and EU-level harmonisation, and is expected to accelerate efforts to standardise labelling across the single market.
The UK releases priorities for the wider food system in its National Food Strategy
On 15th July, the UK Government unveiled its long-anticipated National Food Strategy,outlining a broad, high-level vision for the future of the UK’s food system. While the Strategy stops short of introducing new legislation or detailed policy measures, it acknowledges the complexity of the current food system and signals the need for a more integrated approach and further stakeholder engagement to develop specific recommendations or policy actions. Centred on ten priority outcomes, the Strategy aims to create a “good food cycle” that delivers economic growth and celebrates national food culture.
The National Food Strategy’s emphasis on “appealing” and “convenient” food subtly acknowledges industry concerns around reformulation and consumer behaviour, signalling a pragmatic stance on taste and accessibility. Its focus on innovation and investment reinforces that economic growth remains a key policy driver. Meanwhile, the promotion of UK, regional, and local food cultures aligns both with calls to acknowledge the multidimensional role beyond nutrition that food plays in society and ongoing political narratives around national identity.
Interestingly, the document avoids using contentious terminology like “ultra-processed food,” instead focusing on high fat, salt, and sugar (HFSS) products and disrupting the “junk food cycle.”
In parallel, the UK Government’s 10 Year Health Plan for England: Fit for the Future, published on 3rd July, also addresses the role of food and nutrition in the country’s health through measures to address increasing obesity rates and unhealthy diets. Key food policy commitments include an updated nutrient profile model, stricter HFSS advertising restrictions, and enhanced reformulation via the review and expansion of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy (SDIL).
Next steps include the development of detailed metrics and continued stakeholder engagement.
Shaping the future of sustainable food systems
This month’s top industry initiatives selected by the Whitehouse team:
- Absolut Vodka trials paper-based cap to complete sustainable bottle design:Pernod Ricard’s vodka brand Absolut has launched a fibre-based cap for its paper vodka bottle, replacing aluminium closures in partnership with Swedish start-up Blue Ocean Closures. Made from over 95% FSC-certified fibres, the cap reduces carbon footprint and is recyclable where infrastructure exists. A plastic barrier remains for now, but the goal is full renewability. The prototype, tested by bartenders, will undergo further trials before a limited release.
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 DHSC consultation on secondary legislation to exempt ‘brand advertising’ from upcoming advertising restrictions on less healthy food and drink products on television and online. Open until 6th August.
- EFRA open call for evidence on priorities for a UK-EU SPS agreement. Open until 5th September.
- EFSA open call for evidence on the future of fishing communities. Open until 5th September.
- European Commission open call for evidence on the upcoming environmental omnibus. Open until 10th September.
Events calendar
- 16th September: Westminster Food and Nutrition Forum Priorities for data and transparency in the food system (Online)
- 29th September-1st October: FAO Global Conference on Sustainable Livestock Transformation (Rome)
- 30th September: Euractiv Sustainability reporting and assurance and the omnibus package – Burden or opportunity for EU competitiveness?(Brussels/Online)
- 23rd October: Westminster Food and Nutrition Forum Next steps for the Government’s food strategy and priorities for the UK food system (Online)
- 2nd-3rd December: POLITICO Sustainable Future Week (Brussels)
Get in touch: Andrea Gutierrez-Solana, Director, Food, Public Health and Sustainability andrea.solana@whitehousecomms.com