Food & drink

Fast moving, the Food and Drink industry has to be abundant in creativity and innovation.

Throughout the Food and Drink supply chain, businesses are tackling head-on problems created by global population growth and the increasing need for food sustainability, accessibility and security. Addressing issues such as the demand for more environmentally acceptable packaging, food sourcing, processing and preservation and animal welfare combined with ever-changing consumer trends for food and drink, the sector is creating new opportunities for established businesses and new entrants alike.

IP is at the core of food and drink innovation and development.  HGF’s expertise in technologies including cell-based meat, other alternative proteins and dairy, agrotechnology, nutraceuticals, smart packaging and food and drink production and processing combined with market-leading brand and design expertise, complete the recipe for effective client support in the creation, capture and commercialisation of valuable IP and technology.

HGF’s food and drink specialists combine their technical knowledge and practical sector experience to work with clients to develop effective IP strategies to maximise investment return whether start-ups seeking first round and later stage funding, new brand launches or collaborations between conglomerates looking to partner with and upscale niche technology developers.

 

Cans of pop
Workers on a factory line

Our food & drink specialists

We’ve built our business by recruiting and developing specialists, not generalists. When it comes to protecting your ideas and business, you want to know you’re working with the best – people who truly understand your sector and the potential of your IP.

HGF’s team has food & drink professionals from an array of academic backgrounds. Our team-based approach ensures our clients benefit from the very best strategic advice from people who understand not only the legal environment, but also the practical and theoretical side of their business.

Let's talk

If you would like to discuss how HGF could help you, contact one of our food & drink specialists.

Latest news

The EPO Board of Appeal comments on the scope of the morality exclusion from patentability

The recent decision, T1553/22 of the Board of Appeal required the Board to consider the scope of the exclusions from patentability under Article 53(a) EPC. The invention in this case …

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The draft of The Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Regulations 2025 reveals practical details on how to obtain a Precision Bred Organism status

In a recent blog post we discussed the Precision Breeding Regulatory Framework developed by the Food Standards Agency (FSA). Further details on the application process for Precision Bred Organism confirmation …

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A £2.1M Lesson: The Power of Confidential Information

A recent High Court ruling1 serves as a stark reminder of the importance of respecting confidential business information. Hambro Perks, was found guilty of breaching confidentiality and ordered to pay …

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Event - 6th March 2025

IQPC Global IP Exchange Europe 2025

HGF is sponsoring the IQPC Global IP Exchange Europe, which will be held on the 11th-12th March 2025 in Meliá, Berlin. Head of Electronics, Chris Benson, will be chairing the …

Event details

IP Ingredients: Pouring Over the Verdict: What Thatchers v Aldi Means for Food & Drink Brands

Readers of our IP Ingredients blog may recall that we covered something of this case last summer in our post IP Ingredients: Summer case law review. The dispute between Thatchers …

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Protecting inventions in Europe and beyond

A patent is  a form of registered intellectual property right granted for new, inventive and industrially applicable inventions. Patents are monopoly rights that  allow their owners (or licensees) the right …

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Can intellectual property and foreign investment save struggling European eVTOL companies?

With the ongoing funding difficulties in the European eVTOL sector, we look at the role that intellectual property is likely to play in the prospects for the survival of Lilium …

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