As a very experienced food lawyer, Ian provides regulatory and compliance advice, and represents clients in courts and tribunals in relation to a wide range of food law matters including: food safety and hygiene, animal welfare (including at the time of killing), food information, health and nutrition claims, food supplements, borderline products (e.g. food/cosmetics/medicinal products), traceability, product withdrawals and recalls, official controls and enforcement powers.
Courts and Tribunals
Representing a very large multinational food business in an appeal to the magistrates’ court against the refusal to permit the importation of a Food for Special Medical Purposes.
Defended an individual food business operator in a food safety prosecution where the case was sent to the crown court on grounds of seriousness.
Defended a food business in a prosecution based on a failure to implement HACCP where the food was subject of a significant food recall.
Challenging the service of a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice.
Defended a multinational fast-food business in a food hygiene prosecution involving the presence of rodent activity and food supplied to a consumer.
Defended a SME food business in a food hygiene prosecution, including legal argument on time limits and judicial review proceedings.
Defended a specialist food business in a prosecution for placing unsafe food on the market (food containing undeclared milk supplied to primary schools).
Advised a food business in connection with a criminal investigation into placing unsafe food on the market (undeclared milk). Assisted the business make representations to the prosecuting authority. No prosecution was commenced.
Defending a SME food business in a food hygiene prosecution including legal arguments regarding the identity of the responsible food business operator.
Defending a food business operator in a food hygiene prosecution in the crown court.
Representing a slaughterhouse appealing against the service of a Welfare Enforcement Notice under the Welfare of Animals at the Time of Slaughter Regulations (hearings in the First-tier Tribunal and the Upper Tribunal)
Advising
A food service provider in the context of a prosecution where legal submissions were made on the grounds of breaches of PACE and other procedural issues. The prosecution withdrew the case.
On the addition of vitamins and minerals to alcohol products.
An international fast-food business on national food law compliance.
A drinks manufacturer on novel food ingredients.
On the use of ‘probiotic’ in the context of food information and health claims.
On animal welfare issues and an assured welfare scheme.
A local authority on a possible food recall.
A director in respect of an alleged large-scale fraud involving the mislabelling of meat. No prosecution was commenced.
On nutrition and health claims, particularly in the context of advising on the legal and regulatory requirements for food supplements.
A charity in relation to a food allergen issue where an employee suffered an anaphylactic reaction and was hospitalised.
Regarding the detention of imported product due to alleged non-compliance with food of animal origin legislation.
A food service provider in respect of food safety management systems, allergens and Primary Authority.
In connection with a recall of a liqueur containing undeclared milk.
About the safety of vacuum-packed product, the presence of C. Botulinum and obligations to recall the product and its recall obligations.
In connection with using the description ‘natural’ on pack (including the application of the ASA Codes).
An EU food business on its UK (GB) labelling obligations in respect of ‘ready to eat’ foodstuffs, including health and environmental claims.
A multi-national food business in respect of the claim ‘suitable for vegetarians’ and its recall obligations.
An EU food business on various aspects of the Bread and Flour Regulations.
An EU food business in respect of the labelling and composition of food supplements and nutrition and health claims.
On the appropriate food business operator in the context of a criminal investigation.
In respect of enforcement action against a local authority operated food business.
On matters relating to raw pet food, safety and enforcement.
