Ban on HFSS Advertising: A difficult road ahead for food and drink advertising?

Legal updates | Simmons & Simmons

Legal updates | Simmons & Simmons
Ban on HFSS Advertising: A difficult road ahead for food and drink advertising?
Mar 17, 2026
Simmons & Simmons

Joel Smith - Partner, Simmons & Simmons 

Elinor Cavil - Associate, Simmons & Simmons

 

In the first episode of Simmons & Simmons’ Food & Beverage podcast series, we explore the rapidly evolving UK regulatory landscape governing the advertising of foods high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS).

 

This episode unpacks the UK government’s new HFSS advertising restrictions, including their scope and exemptions to the rules. You’ll also hear about how brands are already adapting to the regulations and what the future may hold for food and drink marketing beyond this ban.

 

Essential listening for businesses navigating increasingly complex HFSS advertising rules, this episode sets the scene for the wider series and provides a clear, practical introduction to the regulatory changes shaping the sector. 

Episode Artwork Ban on HFSS Advertising: A difficult road ahead for food and drink advertising? 23:33 Episode Artwork Transfer Pricing Adjustments and VAT – A Matter of Faith? 7:05 Episode Artwork Private Equity Series 43:38 Episode Artwork TECH: Ignite - Mix tape- the latest hits in tech, digital, and data regulation 38:25 Episode Artwork TECH: Ignite - Avoid the tama-‘gotchas’- legal pitfalls in agentic AI 37:41 Episode Artwork TECH: Ignite - 404- Claim not found — inside the UK’s first optout tech defence 34:50 Episode Artwork TECH: Ignite - From floppy disks to the cloud- digital sovereignty in the AI era 36:40 Episode Artwork Private Equity Series - Episode 2 11:43 Episode Artwork Simmons Cross-Border Reg Podcast 11:55 Episode Artwork Disputes in a Fragmenting World: Corporate criminal liability 13:28 Episode Artwork PRTea Episode 2 - Spilling the Tea on the PRT Market 14:45 Episode Artwork PRTea Episode 1 - Spilling the Tea on the PRT Market 20:27 Episode Artwork GDPR considerations in contracting for AI solutions 42:59 Episode Artwork EU Market Integration Package - Episode 1 8:42 Episode Artwork Disputes in a Fragmenting World: Digital opportunities, disruption and risk - Cybersecurity 39:45 Episode Artwork Health Horizons - Fireside chat - IDA closing 14:32 Episode Artwork Health Horizons - Panel Discussion 4 - Capital catalysts 40:47 Episode Artwork Health Horizons - Keynote Speech - Repairing humans 22:37 Episode Artwork Health Horizons - Breakout room - Health data 26:44 Episode Artwork Health Horizons - Fireside chat - OECD 28:12 Episode Artwork Health Horizons - Panel Discussion 3 - AI 42:16 Episode Artwork Health Horizons - Panel Discussion 2 - Investors’ spotlight 46:00 Episode Artwork Health Horizons - Panel Discussion 1 - Trends 43:29 Episode Artwork Health Horizons - Keynote Speech - Evidence-based decision making 5:44 Episode Artwork Health Horizons - Conference Opening 6:44