Food law

Whether it is an issue of food hygiene, labelling, safety or standards we can help.

Our specialist lawyers will help you achieve a safe commercial solution by demystifying the law.

We have successfully defended businesses in the courts for food hygiene and safety breaches as well as challenged various Food Labelling Regulations and their interpretation by Judicial Review.

Work highlights include:

Appeals against Food Hygiene Rating Scores	Allergen labelling	Defending Food Safety Prosecutions
Due diligence reviews	Food Business Operator advice	Food fraud – substitution
Food poisoning investigations	Groceries code adjudicator	HACCP
Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notices and Orders	Infant food formulation and labelling	Interviews under caution
Pesticide residues	Primary authority partnerships	Product recall
‘Rare’ burgers	Rodent infestations	Sanitizer selection / EU guidance

We speak at national conferences on food law matters and work closely with the leading professional bodies. We regularly organise a mock trial event for members of the Society of Food Hygiene and Technology (SOFHT) and have done so for over 10 years.

Kathryn Gilbertson was awarded a fellowship of SOFHT in 2012. She is a member of the advisory board of The Institute of Food Safety, Integrity and Protection (TIFSIP). Kathryn also provided guidance to Professor Elliott during his investigation into the integrity and assurance of Food Supply Networks as a result of the horsemeat scandal.

We are members of the British Hospitality Association.

Every food business may be inspected by the Environmental Health Officer (EHO) or Trading Standards Officer (TSO) who may carry out an audit, investigate a complaint or provide advice on best practise. The results of such visits can leave the Food Business Operator (FBO) confused:

How bad was the inspection?
What do I have to do?
Can I serve rare meat such as burgers?
Can I appeal against the notice served?
How do I appeal the hygiene rating scores?

We have the skills and knowledge to help FBOs to chart the right path.

Get in touch by contacting Kathryn Gilbertson.