Food businesses need legally sound product information before launch. Ingredients, classification, allergens, nutrition information and advertising claims should be checked as a complete presentation, including packaging and online sales. A translation of overseas packaging is not a substitute for an assessment under the rules applying in Germany.
What we assess
We advise on market access, labelling, health claims and responses to official objections. Changes to recipes or suppliers must be reflected consistently throughout the supply chain. In a product incident, identifying affected batches and coordinating safety measures takes priority alongside the legal response.
Four practical examples
Illustrative scenarios, not accounts of client matters. The appropriate response depends on the documents, applicable law and procedural position.
A supplement with health promises
A company advertises capsules as relieving particular symptoms. Product status and the permitted claims are examined. The wording should be rebuilt around legally available claims and their conditions, rather than merely softened linguistically.
A recipe changes
A manufacturer replaces an ingredient. Ingredient lists, allergens, nutrition declarations and advertising need review before sale. Existing packaging and stock already supplied to retailers must be included in the transition plan.
Importing food from outside the EU
An importer proposes using foreign packaging. Mandatory information and the permissibility of ingredients must be assessed. Translation alone does not address different rules on product descriptions or health claims in the country of origin.
An official objection
Food surveillance raises concerns about a batch. We examine the laboratory basis, products concerned and required measures. Responses, possible counter-analysis, customer information and supplier recourse are coordinated while urgent safety issues are addressed.
Documents that help
Recipes, ingredient specifications, labels, nutrition data, advertising, import documentation, supplier agreements and laboratory reports.
From assessment to the next step
We first distinguish established facts from disputed allegations and identify any step needed to preserve rights. The legal route is then assessed against the commercial objective, available evidence and potential cost. Where technical or foreign-law input is required, responsibilities are coordinated before further work is commissioned. Negotiation, formal proceedings and practical implementation are considered together; a favourable legal position still needs a workable route to the intended result.
Explore all practice areas · Process and fees
Discuss your matter
Tell us the parties involved, your objective and any deadlines. Our main office is in Hanover, Lower Saxony. We advise on German-law matters nationwide and coordinate cross-border work with locally qualified counsel where required.
Send an enquiry — all fields optional · +49 511 3573560
We check conflicts and agree the scope and fees before accepting instructions. An enquiry alone does not create an engagement or preserve a deadline.