Regulatory roles – guardians of compliance
Regulatory Compliance professionals in the flavour industry ensure that flavour products are safe, legal and accurately labelled, both for consumers and for those handling raw materials in the workplace. They are the link between technical teams, customers and legal frameworks, making sure every flavour meets national and international standards.
Working in a regulatory role means being detail-oriented, collaborative and solutions-focused. You might:
• Review and approve product labels for accuracy and compliance
• Ensure raw materials and finished products are stored and handled safely
• Interpret legislation and advise development teams on requirements
• Provide creative solutions to meet compliance while allowing innovation
Career path
While job titles vary between companies, career progression often follows a similar route:
• Regulatory Assistant / Administrator – Supporting the regulatory team, maintaining records and learning how legislation applies to products.
• Regulatory Officer / Specialist – Managing compliance for specific product ranges, liaising with customers and internal teams and interpreting new regulations.
• Senior Regulatory Officer / Manager – Leading compliance strategy, advising on complex legislative issues and mentoring junior staff.
Some professionals remain in regulatory affairs for their entire career, while others move into related fields such as quality assurance, product development or risk management.
What qualifications help?
There is no single qualification required, but a scientific background is highly valued. A degree in Food Science, Food Chemistry, Chemistry or Biological Sciences provides a strong foundation. Graduates from other disciplines may enter the field by gaining relevant experience or completing specialist training.
Many UK universities, including Surrey, Leeds, Nottingham and Reading, offer leading degrees in food-related sciences. Courses are also available at many other institutions.
For those looking to specialise further, Masters degrees in Food Regulatory Affairs, such as the fully online programme at Ulster University (full- or part-time), provide in-depth training.
Some companies also offer in-house regulatory training, enabling graduates or career changers to learn directly from industry experts while working.
Real-world insight
Curious about a career in flavour regulation?
Read our case study with Julia John, Regulatory Compliance Officer and watch our video featuring Iwan Powell, Regulatory Compliance Specialist, to discover what it’s really like to work in regulatory affairs in the flavour industry.
