RPC Bites #11

Welcome to RPC Bites. Our aim in the next 2 minutes is to provide you with a flavour of some key legal, regulatory and commercial developments in the Food & Drink sector over the last fortnight… with the occasional bit of industry gossip thrown in for good measure. Enjoy!

Just Eat agrees to acquire Grubhub

In Issue 7 of RPC Bites, we reported that the CMA had cleared a £6.2 billion merger between Just Eat and Takeaway.com. Not one to rest on its laurels, Just Eat announced earlier this month that it has agreed to acquire Chicago-based delivery service Grubhub, in a deal worth £5.8 billion. Read more

The Anti-Social Club

On 23 June, the UK Government confirmed that pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants will be allowed to re-open on 4 July. Rumours that this would happen have been circling for some time and in anticipation, the hospitality sector has been busy adapting operations to prepare for a new socially distanced way of working. Read more

Aldi gets its claws into the "hard seltzer" market

In recent years, "hard seltzers" have achieved considerable success in the US. A relative new-comer on the drinks scene, a "hard seltzer" is a low-calorie, low-carb alcoholic beverage, made from sparkling water, alcohol and often fruit flavouring. Read more

Is chlorinated chicken back on the menu? 

Last week, the UK began its second round of negotiations with the US for a post-Brexit trade deal. As the US has repeatedly made clear, one of its key priorities in the negotiations is achieving increased market access, so that US agricultural products, which are currently banned, can be sold in the UK.

FSA publishes updated allergen guidance to reflect changes to labelling laws

The Food Information (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2019 (Regulations) (a.k.a. "Natasha's Law") are due to come into force on 1 October 2021. The Regulations will require businesses to include full ingredient labelling on all "pre-packed for direct sale" foodstuffs (PPDS) and to emphasise any allergens that are listed. The term PPDS refers to food that is packed before being sold by the same food business to end consumers. It covers food that is sold from both permanent establishments (i.e. bricks and mortar outlets) and temporary and/or movable premises (such as market stalls and food trucks). Read more

I trade with a land down under

The UK Government has published its strategy and goals for a UK-Australia free trade agreement. Part of this strategy includes removing all tariffs from UK exports, in a bid to improve competitiveness.  This would make trade with Australia cheaper and easier, with consumers being the primary beneficiaries. Read more