Concept to consumption

Our specialist Food & Drink team supports businesses of all sizes – from start-ups and family producers to global brands – to protect what makes them stand out. We combine technical depth with commercial understanding to help you manage brand reputation, safeguard innovation, and grow with confidence.


Retail & consumer insight

Food and drink innovation doesn’t stop at the factory gate – it extends into the wider retail and consumer environment. Understanding how consumers discover, purchase and interact with your products is key to staying relevant. Our retail & consumer expertise helps brands navigate this space, supporting them with trade mark strategies, design protection, and IP portfolios that align with shopper trends, packaging developments and sustainability expectations.


Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages

From craft distilleries and micro-breweries to global beverage houses and emerging wellness drink brands, the drinks industry continues to diversify. We help clients protect unique formulations, product design, and brand identity across the entire spectrum – including low- and no-alcohol options, ready-to-drink formats and premium mixers. Our attorneys bring practical experience in brand protection and international filing strategy to keep your ideas safe and scalable.


Packaging & sustainability

Sustainable packaging has become a defining issue for the industry. As brands rethink materials, design and lifecycle impact, new IP opportunities – and risks – emerge. We assist clients in securing protection for packaging innovations and developing distinctive design strategies that communicate sustainability credibly while reinforcing brand value.


Smart tech & innovation

From connected packaging and traceability tools to automation and data-driven quality control, technology is transforming the food and drink supply chain. Barker Brettell helps businesses protect their smart solutions through patents, design rights and trade marks, ensuring innovation is commercially secure and market ready.


Health, functional, & nutraceuticals

Consumers are seeking products that combine taste with tangible health benefits. Our team has deep experience supporting clients in the fast-growing functional and nutraceutical segments – advising on IP protection for formulations, trade marks for wellness brands, and the complex regulatory environment around health and nutrition claims.

Photo of Tracy Arch

Tracy Arch

Partner (Board member)
Trade Mark Attorney

Frequently Asked Questions:

Food and drink businesses can protect innovation through a combination of trade marks, design rights, and patents. Trade marks safeguard brand names, logos and product identities; design rights protect packaging and product appearance; and patents secure technical innovations such as new formulations, production methods or smart packaging technology. Barker Brettell helps clients identify which combination best supports their commercial goals.

Sustainable or smart packaging often involves innovative materials, engineering or embedded technology. These can be protected through patent filings for technical solutions, registered designs for visual appearance, and trade marks for distinctive eco-branding.

When developing a new alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage, consider early trade-mark clearance to avoid conflicts, design protection for bottles or labels, and, where relevant, patents for unique formulations or processes. Barker Brettell’s Food & Drink team works with beverage companies from concept to launch, providing practical IP strategies that protect investment and support global expansion.

For start-ups, early IP protection builds credibility with investors and distributors, prevents costly disputes, and strengthens long-term brand value. It also helps secure your market entry. Securing IP rights at the outset helps position your business for growth and partnership opportunities.

For more information, please contact Tracy Arch.

How we work

A clear, structured approach from early ideas to long-term protection.

Spot and define what’s worth protecting.

Secure protection with clarity and intent.

Maintain strength as your business grows.

Knowledge & resources

Expert insights, practical guides and on-demand content to help you navigate and protect your ideas.

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Food & Drink 29

Difference between Counterfeit and Copy

Food & Drink Case Studies

Real examples of how we support innovation, protect ideas and deliver commercial impact.

Insights into Food & Drink…

Recent insights and perspectives on the challenges shaping food & drink innovation.

Before you launch: four branding checks every food and drink business should make
Food & Drink 30

April 22, 2026

Before you launch: four branding checks every food and drink business should make

The first UK trade mark: The story of Bass & Co
Food & Drink 31

April 15, 2026

The first UK trade mark: The story of Bass & Co

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