Ian Thomas

Practice Areas

Food and consumer products lawyer providing legal, practical and commercial advice on a range of complex matters to individuals, SMEs and large organisations. Recent food law work includes advising on product labelling and claims, vegetarian ingredients and labelling, products containing food allergens when not listed as an ingredient, allergen labelling in the context of products prepacked for direct sale, precautionary allergen labelling, food supplements, modified atmosphere packaging and shelf-life issues, food packaging materials, withdrawals and recalls. Recent food law court cases include representing a global fast-food retailer (food safety involving rodents), multiple food businesses (food safety and hygiene, including judicial review proceedings, supplying improperly labelled food containing allergens including to consumers who declared their allergy) and a slaughterhouse (appealing a welfare enforcement notice, First-tier and Upper Tribunal). Recent non-food related instructions include the composition and labelling of cosmetics, detergents and vape products and representing interested persons at inquests involving drowning, building site wall collapse and fire. He is described as ‘An excellent advocate who is able to advise the client on the best legal route whist recognising the commercial realities of the client’s business’ and ‘a true food safety expert’. Works with lawyers and businesses in the UK and Europe (also a practising lawyer in the Republic of Ireland). Author of ‘A Practical Guide to the Law Relating to Food’ and ‘Covid-19 and the Law Relating to Food in the UK and Ireland – the Essential Guide’. Visiting Professor at Ulster University (food and veterinary regulatory affairs).