2025 CPG Legal Headlines: UPF & ESG

Partners Sarah Brew and Tyler Young presented a pre-conference webinar in lead-up to the Consumer Brand Association’s upcoming CPG Legal Forum, with over 100 representatives of major food industry companies attending. The presentation covered a range of topics related to Ultra Processed Foods (UPF) and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues.

Brew discussed the recent high-profile UPF litigation against a slew of major food companies, as well as the scientific evidence regarding UPFs, governmental efforts to regulate UPFs, and the decision not to include any recommendations on UPFs in the updated Dietary Guidelines.

In the ESG section, Young addressed plastic pollution, recyclability, and microplastics, discussing some specific legal case examples, and explored state regulations like California’s SB 343.