Hall Of Fame

Next Generation Partners

Industry focus: Food in Netherlands

AKD

Praised for its ‘in-depth knowledge of food law’, AKD advises on all regulatory aspects of complex M&A deals involving food companies. It places a particular focus on sector-specific regulations, including labelling, food safety, product liability, and recalls. The team also handles administrative procedures before key Dutch authorities. Leading the practice is Barbara Mutsaers, a 'very experienced operator' who advises and litigates on sector-specific laws and international commercial contracting. Mutsaers is supported by Erik Dans, who specialises in administrative food law and represents clients in enforcement proceedings and appeals against authorities.

Praxisleiter:

Barbara Mutsaers


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Erik Dans


Referenzen

‘Barbara Mutsaers is clearly a very experienced operator with expertise in the industry, which is very reassuring as a client. I value her attention to detail and ability to quickly grasp the key issues.‘

‚In our experience, AKD demonstrates exceptional responsiveness, a collaborative mindset, and strong internal coordination across disciplines.‘

‚Barbara Mutsaers was not only a highly skilled litigator but also strong in her communication, so we were fully informed at every stage. Her approach was thorough, transparent, and solution-focused, which provided us with great confidence throughout a complex dispute.’

Kernmandanten

Plukon Food Group


NEPLUVI


Yili Innovation Center Europe


Sligro Food Group Nederland


Interfood


Blueworld Seafood


Greenpower


VanRijsingen Ingredients


Andean Life B.V.


Baker & Baker


Royal Avebe


Viva Wine Group


Highlight-Mandate


  • Advised Viva Wine Group on the Dutch legal aspects of its acquisition of Delta Wines, the largest wine importer in the Netherlands.
  • Acted for a leading food company in high-profile matters concerning food law regulatory, compliance and competition-related sensitivities in the Dutch food retail market.
  • Advised an organic wholesaler on its legal obligations, rights and strategic responses in a matter involving the Dutch control authority SKAL, relating to the import and trade of organic products and certification.

Hoogenraad & Haak

Hoogenraad & Haak maintains a standout track record in high-impact litigation, handling disputes for major industry players and appeals against the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority. The team also advises on a diversity of food law issues, from ingredients, food safety, and recall coordination. Leading the practice is Ebba Hoogenraad, who brings ‘sharp legal insight’ to enforcement defence and advertising strategy. Hoogenraad is supported by Maarten Haak, who handles food-related IP and commercial contract issues, and Lisanne Steenbergen, who focuses on regulatory areas such as sustainability claims and labelling compliance.

Praxisleiter:

Ebba Hoogenraad


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Maarten Haak; Lisanne Steenbergen; Myrna Teeuw


Referenzen

‘We continue to be impressed by their deep expertise in food law, particularly in the areas of health claims, labelling, and sustainability. Their knowledge of the regulatory landscape – both current and emerging – is second to none in the Netherlands.‘

‚What sets them apart is not only their legal acumen but also their ability to understand the practical and commercial challenges we face as a business in the food industry.’

‘Ebba Hoogenraad stands out as an exceptional lawyer. She goes all the way for her clients, bringing not only sharp legal insight but also unwavering commitment.’

Kernmandanten

Heineken


Lidl


Ahold Delhaize


Yakult


Barilla/WASA


Haribo


Perrigo/Omega Pharma


Coca-Cola


FrieslandCampina


Ecotone


Haribo


Koninklijke Vereniging Homeopathie


Maxxium


L’Oréal


Cantina Mexicana


Cosun Nutrition Centre


Super Nature Products


Gezondheid aan Huis


Holland & Barrett


Nederlandse Zuivelorganisatie NZO


Highlight-Mandate


  • Represented Holland & Barrett and Gezondheid aan Huis before the highest administrative court in the Netherlands (the Administrative Jurisdiction Division of the Council of State) in a landmark case against the Dutch Minister for Medical Care.
  • Represented Holie Foods in high-stakes summary proceedings brought by Lotus Bakeries, challenging Holie’s „Holie’s Sugar-Score“ campaign.
  • Defended a FrieslandCampina subsidiary in high-stakes trademark and copyright litigation brought by Liptis and Osiris Nutrition concerning infant milk products.

Loyens & Loeff

Loyens & Loeff is a key advisor to food and beverage sector clients, leveraging expertise across corporate, tax structuring, competition, and international trade matters. The firm offers deep regulatory knowledge on food safety, labelling, and food contact materials and also advises clients on EUDR compliance strategy. The team is led by Guido Koop, who focuses on administrative law and compliance issues. Further key contacts include Jacobine van Beijeren, who handles food and life sciences regulatory issues, and Nanne Kusters, who advises on product compliance and recalls.

Praxisleiter:

Guido Koop


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Jacobine van Beijeren; Nanne Kusters


Referenzen

‘This team has deep expertise, is closely tracking the near-constant changes in the regulatory landscape, and is extremely practical and commercial.‘

‘I’ve had incredibly positive experiences with Nanne Kusters. He is extremely knowledgeable and I have been consistently impressed with Nanne’s willingness to jump on calls and provide quick answers and great client service.’

Kernmandanten

Amswha


Bayer Crop Science


B&S Group


Cargill B.V.


Celanese


Collins Foods Ltd (KFC)


Cornelis Vrolijk


Danish Crown


Dawn Foods


Emmi Italy


Exal Corporation


Farmboy


Femsa


FitForMe B.V.


Fleury Michon


Givaudan


Glencore Grain


HelloFresh


Hoogtweg


Illovo Sugar


Kerry Group


Kettle Foods Ltd.


Kloosterboer


Koninklijke Zeelandia


Krynica Vitamin S.A.


Levarht


McCain


Nutreco


Rembrandt Foods


RemyCointreau


Samson & Surrey


Sligro Food Group


Struik Foods


Yara Sluiskil


Vomar


Wessanen


H.I.G. European Capital Partners


Jan Linders


Highlight-Mandate


  • Advised several global food and beverage companies with setting up their EUDR-compliant supply chains, including advising on how to tailor operational aspects to the applicable legal compliance framework.
  • Acted as lead counsel to US-based Darling Ingredients in respect of its intended internal restructuring, undertaken in preparation for a previously announced, but not yet established, joint venture with Tessenderlo Group.
  • Assisted a privately owned global food and beverages company with various ongoing tax and regulatory compliance matters, leveraging the firm’s full-service legal and tax offering.

Ploum

Ploum combines in-depth knowledge of food and feed regulatory law with expertise across customs, IP, corporate, and criminal law. The firm demonstrates extensive experience in high-profile litigation, including administrative, civil, and criminal cases involving fraud and enforcement. It also advises on technical matters like contaminants and product liability claims and regularly represents clients against the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority and the Dutch Organic Control Authority. The practice is led by Marijn van Tuijl, who handles product recalls and litigation against regulatory authorities. Van Tuijl is supported by Willem Leppink, who focuses on soft IP, and Jikke Biermasz, who handles international trade and customs law.

Praxisleiter:

Marijn van Tuijl


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Willem Leppink; Jikke Biermasz


Referenzen

‘Besides being very knowledgeable about a variety of different topics, they are also very approachable.‘

‚They have a good understanding of the various dynamics that play a role in international trade, which makes their advice more practical.’

‘I enjoy working with Jikke Biermasz and Marijn van Tuijl. They are very knowledgeable and approachable. Their advice is always on point.’

Kernmandanten

Bidfood


Droste


Bunge


Unilever


Heineken


United Biscuits/ Verkade


Pernod Ricard/ Chivas Brothers


Cefetra (BayWa Agri Supply & Trade)


Jacobs Douwe Egberts


Danone


Upfield


Refresco


Vrumona


Picnic


Vergeer Holland


Doens Food International


LT Foods


Van Sillevoldt Rice


Highlight-Mandate


  • Successfully appealed against the decision by Netherlands organic food authority Skal to revoke the licence to operate of DFI Food Sourcing.
  • Assisted five agricultural commodity trade associations in a test trial against Netherlands Food and Product Safety Authority on the legal right to notify the authorities of a potential food safety risk.

Van Doorne

Van Doorne regularly acts for leading domestic and international food sector clients, covering commercial, corporate and M&A, IT, IP, privacy, and restructuring matters. The firm has extensive experience in cross-border matters, including pan-European product recalls and complex contract negotiations. The team is led by Lisette Bieleveld, a contract law specialist with expertise in food safety issues. Florence Verbeek advises on consumer and product liability law as well as e-commerce, and handles litigation against the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority.

Praxisleiter:

Lisette Bieleveld


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Florence Verbeek


Referenzen

‘The individuals we work with stand out for their professionalism, availability, and ability to simplify complex matters.‘

‚They combine technical excellence with a pragmatic, solution-oriented mindset.‘

‚Their strong interpersonal skills and collaborative spirit make them easy and pleasant to work with, even in high-pressure situations.’

Kernmandanten

ABP Food Group Unlimited


Agrico B.V.


Ahold Europe Real Estate & Construction B.V. (Albert Heijn and Gall&Gall)


Aldi Süd


AMC Grupo Alimentacion Fresco y Zumos S.


AquaMinerals B.V.


Athletic Greens


Baarsma Wine Group Nederland


Barentz N.V.


Baetland Vastgoed B.V.


Bedo Imex B.V. (Akdos)


Bergbanket B.V.


Bio Detection Systems B.V.


BrunchCo 21


Campina


CanPack


Carbonell Nederland B.V.


Coöperatieve Inkoopcombinatie Dranken Compagnie U.A.e


Cott Corporation


Crisp B.V.


Culligan (formerly: Eden Springs)


Detailresult Services B.V. (Dirk van den Broek and DekaMarkt)


De Banketgroep B.V.


Distilleries Group Toorank B.V.


Dobla B.V.


Drie Mollen International B.V.


Dunea N.V.


Dutch Bakery Holding B.V.


E&A Scheer Group Holding B.V.


Eden Springs (now: Culligan)


Emmi Benelux B.V.


Enkco


Euro-Caps B.V.


Europastry SA


Fernandez


FrieslandCampina Riedel B.V.


Fonterra


Foodimus


ForHerCare


Fuite Family


General Mills


Getir B.V. / Gorillas


Giorgi Global


Go Tan


Healthspan Ltd.


Herbalife


H. van Wijnen


Innogusto


Irca


ISK Bioscience Europe N.V.


JBT Food & Dairy Systems B.V.


JDE Peet’s


KellyDeli


KFC Holdings B.V.


Klaas Puul B.V.


Koninklijke Agrifirm Group


Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize N.V.


Lenger Seafoods


Little Italy Skostredet A.S.


LiveKindly


Marine Harvest ASA


Marqt


McCain


MCO Health B.V.


Meatless B.V.


Moët & Chandon


Naming’omba Tea Estates Limited


NewForrest B.V.


Nutreco N.V.


Nutricia Export B.V.


N.V. Waterbedrijf Groningen


Odin


Padifood Service B.V.


Pandriks Holding B.V.


Paterson Arran Ltd.


Plukon Food Group


PortionPack Europe Holding B.V.


Prins & Dingemanse B.V.


Prinsen Food


PV Industries B.V.


Rainforest Alliance


Refresco Group B.V.


Royal Sanders


Santé Group


Scandi Standard


Sealed Air


Sonion Nederland B.V.


Starbucks Coffee Netherlands B.V.


Stichting Albert Schweitzer


Stichting de Zorgcirkel


Struik Holding N.V. and Struik Europe N.V.


SunOpta


Supergoods UG


Team Foods Colombia S.A.


Ter Maten Group


Texelse Bierbrouwerij B.V.


The Green Happiness


Tony’s Factory B.V.


Trioplast Industries AB


United Coffee Services Schweiz AG


United Softdrinks B.V.


Van Oers United


Vaessen-Schoemaker B.V.


Victory Farms Limited


Vita Square B.V.


Wipak


Highlight-Mandate


  • Acted on behalf of FrieslandCampina in a dispute with The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature.
  • Advised Scandi Standard AB on its acquisition of Tyson Foods‘ manufacturing facilities in Oosterwolde, the Netherlands.
  • Advising Fonterra Co-operative Group on the corporate governance and legal structure of its European operations.

Van Traa Advocaten

Van Traa Advocaten integrates expertise in logistics, international trade, and insurance with its food law practice. The firm covers the entire value chain, advising on food safety, marketing, and quality, and has a strong track record in high-profile product recall cases and high-stakes inquiries. The practice is co-led by Silvia Gawronski, a specialist in food law and regulatory affairs who advises on EU and Dutch regulations, particularly in the field of organic food law. Fellow practice co-head Marc van Maanen focuses primarily on complex litigation, arbitration, and trade disputes.

Praxisleiter:

Silvia Gawronski


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Marc van Maanen; Steven Oude Alink; Thomas Giesbertz; Alicia Zwanikken


Referenzen

‘I have worked with Van Traa for many years, especially with the team of Marc van Maanen. They are highly skilled, and I can confirm that cases have always been handled to my full satisfaction.’

‘Professionalism and commitment.‘

‘As a Netherlands food business, we chose to work with Van Traa as they are familiar with both the specifics of our business operations and with public regulators. It is reassuring for us to have a partner that bridges food law with administrative law.‘

Kernmandanten

KLM


Nouryon


Glencore


Steinweg


Cofco


Louis Dreyfus Company


Cefetra


Dutch Organic International Trade (DO-IT)


BioNederland


Intersnack


Verstegen


Cornelis Vrolijk


Olam Europe


Steinweg Handelsveem


Cargill


Go-Tan Foods


Sanorice


Nesté


Tradin Organic


Doens Food Ingredients


Nowaco


Spack Trading


Van Schelven


HAP Foods


Bakker Seeds


FeedValid


Argentrade


Dutch Bakery Group


Dipasa


Tracomex


Triferto


SD Guthrie


BioCore


Frio Foods


Wolf Steel (Napoleon)


Inter Food


Nutrimex


Highlight-Mandate


  • Assisted KLM – Air France regularly in cases in which the airline was confronted with cargo containing foodstuffs with food ingredients of protected plants or animals under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
  • Advised one of the largest supermarkets in the Netherlands, offering guidance on product labelling and regulatory matters related to the sale of alcoholic beverages.
  • Assisted Van Schelven and Doens in cases against the Dutch organic food authority SKAL, helping to overturn the decisions to withdraw their trade certificates for organic products.

BarentsKrans

The agricultural and food team at BarentsKrans leverages expertise across commercial contracts, M&A, and high-stakes litigation. The firm has a strong track record in IP and competition disputes, cartel investigations, and enforcement matters before the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority. It also advises on crucial regulatory issues, including product conformity, liability, recalls, and sustainability claims. The team is led by Annelies van der Ploeg, who has extensive experience in drafting commercial contracts and handling related commercial disputes in the food industry.

Praxisleiter:

Annelies van der Ploeg


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Celine van Es


Referenzen

‚Their close collaboration, proactivity, and seamless communication make working with them both efficient and inspiring.‘

‚Annelies van der Ploeg has an exceptional ability to uncover the underlying motivations behind decisions and to distill complex issues down to their essential core.‘

‚Annelies van der Ploeg’s analytical precision, combined with strategic empathy, ensures that advice is always both insightful and actionable.‘

Kernmandanten

AB Mauri


Albron


Compaxo


Deliveroo


DLG


Farm Frites


Granot Fresh


HARIBO


Interovo Egg Group


Lekkerkerker Food


LTO Nederland


Macedonian Thrace Brewery


Marel


Meatstreet


Nestlé


Royal Cosun


Royal FrieslandCampina


Royal Peijnenburg


Scherpenhuizen


Selecta Group


Wageningen University & Research


Zandbergen / The New Plant


ZuivelNL


Zwanenberg Food Group


Highlight-Mandate


  • Assisted Interovo Egg Group in a cartel investigation by the ACM and represented the same in subsequent damage compensation litigation.
  • Represented Macedonian Thrace Brewery in an abuse of dominance matter against Heineken and its subsidiary Athenian Brewery concerning anti-competitive conduct in the Greek beer market.
  • Advised Zwanenberg Food Group on acquiring the renowned Unox and Zwan brands from Unilever.

Bird & Bird

Bird & Bird acts for major multinational corporates across the entire commercial and operational lifecycle of food and beverage products, assisting clients on all issues from production to distribution. The firm offers deep expertise in IP, covering brand protection, anti-counterfeiting, and parallel trade. It also provides guidance on increasingly critical regulatory issues, including food safety, labelling, and sustainability compliance. The team is co-led by Manon Rieger-Jansen, who focuses on IP and brand management; Olav Klaver, who handles corporate law matters; and Andy van Esdonk, who advises on tax issues.

Praxisleiter:

Manon Rieger-Jansen; Olav Klaver; Andy van Esdonk


Kernmandanten

Treasury Wine Estates


Monster


Blossom Hill


Chiquita


Hello Fresh


Nutreco


La Fourchette


Asolo


Flügel


Kraft Heinz


Anheuser Busch InBev


Reef Technology


Kanonkop Wine Estate


Bound2B


Swartland Winery


Highlight-Mandate


  • Supported Kraft Heinz in a wide variety of matters, including commercial, intellectual property, food regulatory, trade, customs, and ESG.

CMS

CMS advises on key food sector matters such as nutrition, labelling, contamination, and product recall, and also demonstrates a strong track record in complex cross-border M&A and litigation. The team is co-led by Aukje Haan, whose expertise includes corporate, commercial, and ESG issues, and Mark Ziekman, who specialises in cross-border mergers and takeovers within the sector. The team is rounded out by litigator Akin Aslan, who assists clients regarding high-stakes product liability, supply chain disruptions, and regulatory matters.

Praxisleiter:

Aukje Haan; Mark Ziekman


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Akin Aslan


Referenzen

‘Pragmatic, solution-oriented, and highly capable.‘

‚They combine strong legal expertise with practical advice and close business alignment.‘

‚Collaborative, responsive, and flexible.’

Kernmandanten

Associated British Food


ACETUM S.p.A.


AB Mauri


Amarant Bakkersholding


Bake Five


Coca Cola Europacific Partners


Colgate-Palmolive


Diageo


Friesland Campina


Fishflow Innovations


Givaudan


Holland & Barrett


Illovo Sugar Africa Ltd


Infarm


Kiremko


La Bouteille d’Or


Mars GmbH


Mars Wrigley


McCain


McDonald’s


Mosa Meat


Royal Unibrew


Salentein


Syngenta


Systematic Management


The Coca-Cola Company


Viscon Fresh Produce


Vreugdenhil Dairy Foods


Westmill Foods


Xenos


Highlight-Mandate


  • Advised Royal Unibrew on the acquisition of Vrumona from Heineken.
  • Provided counsel to Systematic Growth on the acquisition of Pouch Alliance B.V., a company active in the business of developing, producing and packaging of private label liquid health foods and sport supplements.
  • Advised McDonald’s on the building permit to open a restaurant in Amsterdam’s ‚Zuidas‘ business district.

Maverick Advocaten N.V.

Maverick Advocaten N.V. is a specialist boutique firm that offers expertise at the intersection food law, competition, and regulatory matters, assisting clients across the entire supply and production process for food and feed. The firm also stands out on high-stakes regulatory litigation, frequently representing major producers in regulatory disputes regarding fines, product recalls, and supervision. The practice is led by a trio of lawyers with strong competition law backgrounds: Diederik Schrijvershof is a regulatory litigation expert; Martijn van de Hel specialises in enforcement and merger control; and Cyriel Ruers is a leading authority in market regulation and consumer protection matters.

Praxisleiter:

Diederik Schrijvershof; Cyriel Ruers; Martijn van de Hel


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Judith Jansen


Referenzen

‘Maverick Advocaten has a professional focus and impressive track record on food law and legal issues regarding food safety and recalls, specifically involving the Dutch Food and Consumer Safety Authority.‘

‚The team is approachable and combines their expertise with excellent knowledge of the food sector, leading to really pragmatic but legally sound advice and support.’

‘Cyriel Ruers and Judith Jansen have helped us with meaningful advice in matters of great importance for our industry. They understand the complexity of food production and have successfully defended our interests both in and out of court.

Kernmandanten

Zwanenberg


Scherpenhuizen


Growers United


Vion Food Group


IMCD


Van Loon Group


GroentenFruit Huis


Stichting Milieukeur


Rijk Zwaan


Van Iperen


Ameco


St. Paul


Centrale Organisatie voor de Vleessector (COV)


Fransen Gerrits


P. Bos Veevoeders


Family Beef (Fuite Group)


Vleeswarenfabriek Persoon


VanDrie Group


Federatie Nederlandse Levensmiddelen Industrie


Barentz


Coöperatie Harvest House


Van Wesemael


Compaxo


Van Eeghen


Highlight-Mandate


  • Assisted Zwanenberg in obtaining approval from the Dutch competition authority ACM to acquire part of the business of major A-brand Unox and (in Belgium and Greece) Zwan from global food group Unilever.
  • Represented the Dutch cattle feed producers Fransen Gerrits B.V. and P. Bos Mengvoeder en Kunstmesthandel in proceedings concerning a national €4bn buy-out scheme in livestock farming by the Dutch State, which caused the feed producers considerable damage.
  • Successfully assisted a large number of companies in the Dutch meat sector (including slaughterhouses, processors and traders), represented by the Central Organisation for the Meat Sector, in proceedings regarding the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority fees.

Norton Rose Fulbright

Norton Rose Fulbright assists clients across corporate, litigation, banking, and compliance matters within the food and agriculture sectors. The firm offers extensive transactional experience for producers, processors, and traders, with a notable focus on sustainable lending facilities and complex cross-border M&A. It also advises on internal investigations, product recalls, and GDPR compliance in the sector. The team is led by Saskia Blokland, who is highly sought-after for her experience advising clients on domestic and multinational transactional matters. A further key contact is corporate and M&A expert Heimon Smits.

Praxisleiter:

Saskia Blokland


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Heimon Smits


Kernmandanten

ADM


Coca Cola European Partners


Coca Cola Hellenic AG


Corbion


Crisp Sensation Holding B.V.


Danone / Nutricia


Darling Ingredients


DeltaMilk


Emerald Kalama Chemical


Fresh Trading Manufacturing B.V. (Innocent Drinks)


Gate Group (deSter)


Rabobank


Kerry Group


Louis Dreyfus Commodities


Monaghan Mushrooms


Picnic


WCSG


Highlight-Mandate


  • Advised Danish dairy cooperative Arla Foods amba on its merger with German dairy cooperative Deutsches Milchkontor eG and Dutch dairy cooperative DOC Kaas U.A.
  • Provided counsel to Coca-Cola Hellenic on all data compliance aspects in relation to their digital journey.

Say Legal

Say Legal demonstrates a specialised focus on food law and advertising law, acting for domestic and multinational corporates and start-ups. The firm regularly represents clients in contentious cases against the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, as well as in advisory matters concerning food advertising, recall assistance, and sustainability and packaging issues. The practice is led by Sarah Arayess, who combines expertise in food law, consumer goods regulation, and advertising issues.

Praxisleiter:

Sarah Arayess


Referenzen

‘Sarah Arayess stands out as one of the specialists in Dutch food law. I value her commercial acumen, her quick and clear communication, and her unwavering reliability.’

‘Say Legal is a highly specialised boutique law firm with a clear and consistent focus on food law, consumer goods regulation, and advertising law. The firm has a practical, solution-oriented approach and an ability to deliver clear, actionable legal advice tailored to the needs of food companies.’

‘I have been working with Sarah Arayess for several years and I have always appreciated her professionalism, clarity, and a deep understanding of the regulatory landscape. Her support is invaluable for ensuring compliance and navigating legal challenges with confidence.’

Highlight-Mandate


  • Advised a large company in an important discussion regarding single-use plastic products under the Single-use Plastics Directive.
  • Acted on behalf of an internationally operating client in a principal case regarding mutual recognition against the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sports and the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority.
  • Acted as the sole food law advisor for the Netherlands for multinationals, advising on, for example, packaging design, advertising, food composition requirements, social media advertising (including influencer marketing), and sustainability.