Upcoming Food Regulations Outlook in the UK, June 2025
In a significant move, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in the UK has proposed reintroducing national level regulation and further reforms to the market authorisation process for regulated food and feed products. This comes as the UK government continues to back innovative technologies in the alternative proteins sector, stepping up support and funding for their development [1].
For alternative protein products labeled as meat alternatives, the UK requires a minimum of 9% protein content. The FSA, in collaboration with Food Standards Scotland (FSS), has launched a pilot regulatory support service to assist companies in the cell-cultivated food sector, such as GOURMEY, with the UK market authorization process [2]. This service ensures that cell-grown meat products like chicken fillets and beef burgers meet necessary safety standards before consumer sales [3].
In the EU, regulatory changes are emphasizing labelling requirements for plant-based proteins, funding mechanisms, and overall political shifts affecting the plant-based protein sector [4]. The EU is focusing on clearer labelling and sustainability, reflecting shifting market priorities.
In the UK, a government initiative mandates supermarkets to report healthy food sales. Experts advocate for the inclusion of the ratio of plant-based to animal-based protein sales to enhance transparency about sustainability and nutrition metrics [5].
The FSA is considering introducing national level regulation, whereby large national food businesses would be regulated at a national level, rather than on a premises-by-premises basis [6]. The FSA has also launched a new pilot business support service to assist companies developing cell-cultivated products for the UK market [7].
The EU court has ruled that making health claims for botanical food supplements is prohibited, as these claims are still under scientific review from the Commission [8]. The Communications Act 2003 (Restrictions on the Advertising of Less Healthy Food) (Effective Date) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 have delayed the implementation of advertising restrictions on less healthy food and drink products from 1 October 2025 to 5 January 2026 [9].
The government's Industrial Strategy highlights digital and technologies as key focus areas, including engineering biology, with reformed regulation and standards [10]. The government is committed to introducing the most ambitious animal welfare program in a generation and will consider method of production labelling reform as part of its broader animal welfare and food strategy [11].
The FSA has noted that with the UK and EU agreeing a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement, these reforms may be affected, potentially requiring dynamic alignment with EU law [12]. The Sentencing Council has announced amendments to the sentencing guidelines for health and safety, food safety, food hygiene, and corporate manslaughter offences, specifically targeting Very Large Organisations (VLOs) [13].
The Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO) is designed to create a more supportive regulatory environment for engineering biology [14]. Majority support was found for method of production labelling reform, with benefits cited for animal welfare, consumer transparency, and adherence to UK regulations [15]. Similarly, majority support was found for mandatory country of origin labelling in minimally processed products [16].
The government plans to build on the success of the engineering biology regulatory sandbox to accelerate regulatory reform [17]. These developments underscore the UK and EU's commitment to fostering innovation in the food industry while ensuring consumer safety and transparency.
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- The Food Standards Agency (FSA) in the UK, in collaboration with the government and industries, is actively focusing on policy-and-legislation changes within the food sector, particularly in the alternative proteins market, as seen through the reforms to market authorization processes, new regulatory support services, and legislative initiatives.
- Politics plays a significant role in shaping the general-news landscape surrounding food and nutrition policies, as evidenced by the EU's focus on labelling requirements for plant-based proteins, the UK's mandate for supermarkets to report healthy food sales, and the government's commitment to introducing reforms in technology sectors like engineering biology, while ensuring consumer safety and transparency.
