Natasha’s Law: Allergen Labelling & Compliance Steps

Natasha’s Law: UK Food Safety and Allergy Protection

Natasha’s Law, introduced in October 2021, marks a pivotal shift in UK food safety legislation, driven by the tragic death of 15-year-old Natasha Ednan-Laperouse.

It mandates full ingredient and allergen labelling on prepacked foods for direct sale (PPDS), transforming how food businesses operate and protecting millions with food allergies.

Brief History: Tragedy to Reform

Natasha Ednan-Laperouse died in 2016 after consuming a baguette from Pret a Manger that contained sesame seeds—an allergen not listed on the packaging.

Despite carrying two EpiPens, Natasha suffered a fatal anaphylactic reaction aboard a flight to Nice. Her death exposed a critical gap in allergen labelling laws and sparked national outrage.

Her parents, Tanya and Nadim Ednan-Laperouse, launched the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation and campaigned tirelessly for legislative change. In 2019, the UK government passed Natasha’s Law, giving businesses two years to prepare for compliance.

Natasha's law on food allergy

What Natasha’s Law Requires

Under Natasha’s Law, all Prepacked for Direct Sale (PPDS) foods must include:

  • Product Name
    • Clearly state the name of the food item.
  • Full Ingredients List
    • Every ingredient used in the product must be listed in detail.
  • Emphasised Allergens
    • All allergenic ingredients must be clearly highlighted within the ingredients list—using bold, italics, or colour for visibility.

List of Ingredients Covered by Natasha’s Law

Under Natasha’s Law, food businesses must clearly label the following 14 allergens when present in any prepacked food for direct sale (PPDS):

  1. Celery
  2. Cereals containing gluten (e.g. wheat, rye, barley, oats, spelt, Khorasan wheat)
  3. Crustaceans (e.g. crab, lobster, prawns)
  4. Eggs
  5. Fish
  6. Lupin
  7. Milk
  8. Molluscs (e.g. mussels, oysters, squid)
  9. Mustard
  10. Nuts (e.g. almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, cashews, pecans, Brazil nuts, pistachios, macadamia)
  11. Peanuts
  12. Sesame seeds
  13. Soya
  14. Sulphur dioxide and sulphites (at concentrations above 10mg/kg or 10mg/L)

These allergens must be clearly emphasised (e.g. in bold, italics, or a different colour) within the full ingredients list on PPDS food labels.

📚Free Quiz: Test Your Food Allergen Knowledge.

Countries Where Natasha’s Law Applies

Natasha’s Law applies in the United Kingdom (England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland). It was introduced in October 2021 to strengthen allergen labelling requirements for prepacked for direct sale (PPDS) foods.

Countries Covered:

  • England
  • Wales
  • Scotland
  • Northern Ireland

Not Applicable Elsewhere: While Natasha’s Law is a UK regulation, other countries have their own allergen labelling rules.

For example, the EU has allergen labelling requirements under Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, but Natasha’s Law specifically refers to the UK’s strengthened PPDS labelling rules.

What is PPDS?

PPDS refers to food packaged on the same premises where it is sold, before being chosen by the customer. Examples include pre-wrapped sandwiches, salads, bakery items, and cheeses prepared in cafés, delis, or school canteens.

This law builds on the EU’s Food Information to Consumers (FIC) Regulation 1169/2011, but goes further by requiring full ingredient and allergen labelling for foods packaged for direct sale.

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Foods Not Covered by Natasha’s Law

  • Food made to order: Items prepared at the customer’s request (e.g., a sandwich made fresh at a counter) are exempt. Allergen information must still be available, but full ingredient labelling is not required.
  • Open (non-prepacked) food: Foods served loose or unpackaged—like buffet items, deli counter selections, or bakery goods sold without wrapping—are not subject to the labelling requirements of Natasha’s Law.
  • Prepacked food made off-site: Products packaged in a central kitchen or factory and then sold in stores fall under general food labelling laws, not Natasha’s Law. These already require full ingredient and allergen labelling.
  • Drinks served in cups or containers: Beverages poured into cups at cafés or vending machines are not considered PPDS unless prepacked before sale.
  • Food sold online or via delivery apps: While allergen information must be provided before purchase and at delivery, Natasha’s Law does not mandate full ingredient labelling on packaging for these items.
  • Food provided by charity or community groups: In some cases, food given away for free or sold occasionally by non-professional groups may be exempt, depending on the nature and frequency of the activity.

The law focuses on closing a specific gap—where food is packed on-site and sold directly to consumers without full labelling. Other food types are already covered by different regulations or are considered lower risk due to verbal interaction or existing labelling standards.


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Natasha’s Law Compliance Steps for Food Businesses & Restaurants

1. Identify PPDS Products

Start by auditing your food offerings to determine which items qualify as prepacked for direct sale (PPDS). These are foods that are:

  • Packaged before the customer selects or orders them.
  • Sold on the same premises (or mobile unit) where they are made.
  • Common examples: sandwiches, salads, boxed cakes, or wraps prepared and packaged in advance.

2. Implement Full Ingredient Labelling

For each PPDS item, labels must include:

  • The name of the food.
  • A full ingredients list, in descending order by weight.
  • Allergens clearly emphasised (e.g., in bold, underlined, or coloured text).

There are 14 allergens that must be declared, including milk, eggs, nuts, sesame, gluten-containing cereals, and sulphites.

3. Review Recipes and Supply Chains

  • Standardise recipes to ensure consistency in ingredients.
  • Work with suppliers to obtain up-to-date allergen information.
  • Keep records of all ingredients and any changes to formulations.

This is especially important for businesses that prepare food on-site using multiple ingredients or pre-prepared components.

4. Use Labelling Systems and Templates

  • Invest in digital labelling software or printers that can generate compliant labels.
  • Create templates for each menu item with pre-approved ingredient and allergen information.
  • Ensure labels are legible, durable, and securely attached to packaging.

5. Train Staff Thoroughly

All staff involved in food preparation, packaging, and service should be trained on:

  • The requirements of Natasha’s Law.
  • How to identify and label allergens correctly.
  • The importance of avoiding cross-contamination.
  • How to respond to customer allergy queries confidently and accurately.

6. Update Processes and Conduct Regular Checks

  • Review and update procedures regularly, especially when recipes or suppliers change.
  • Audit labels and packaging to ensure ongoing compliance.
  • Document your processes to demonstrate due diligence in case of inspection.

7. Communicate Clearly with Customers

Even for non-PPDS foods, businesses must still provide allergen information:

  • Verbally (via trained staff)
    Or in writing (e.g., menus, signage, digital platforms).
  • Clear communication builds trust and help protect customers with allergies.

Impact on Businesses and Consumers

For food businesses, Natasha’s Law has reshaped operations:

  • Training and awareness: Staff must understand allergen risks and labelling protocols.
  • Operational changes: Kitchens and packaging areas require new workflows to ensure accurate labelling.
  • Technology investment: Many businesses adopted digital labelling systems to manage ingredients and allergens efficiently.

For consumers, especially the estimated 2 million people in the UK with food allergies, the law offers:

  • Greater transparency.
  • Improved confidence when buying food.
  • Reduced risk of accidental exposure.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) continues to monitor compliance and support businesses through guidance and evaluation.

Why Natasha’s Law Matters

Natasha’s Law is more than a regulatory update—it is a moral and public health imperative. It:

  • Honours Natasha’s legacy by preventing similar tragedies.
  • Empowers consumers with life-threatening allergies to make safe choices.
  • Raises industry standards for transparency and accountability.
  • Promotes inclusive food environments, especially in schools and care settings.

It also signals a broader cultural shift: recognising food allergies as serious medical conditions, not mere preferences.

Looking Ahead

The FSA continues to evaluate the law’s effectiveness and explore next steps in food hypersensitivity policy. Future developments may include:

  • Digital allergen tracking.
  • Expanded labelling for non-prepacked foods.
  • Stronger enforcement mechanisms.

Natasha’s Law stands as a testament to the power of advocacy, the importance of clear communication, and the role of regulation in safeguarding public health.


food safety and health quiz

Reflective Questions

1. How confident am I in identifying and communicating the 14 allergens covered by Natasha’s Law?
Subtext: Think about situations in your workplace where clear labelling or communication could prevent risk.

2. What steps do I take to ensure compliance with food safety and allergen regulations in my role?
Subtext: Reflect on your daily routines and whether they align with best practice and legal requirements.

3. How does raising standards together influence the way I respond to complaints or feedback?
Subtext: Consider how collaboration and openness can turn challenges into opportunities for improvement.

4. In what ways can I adapt my communication to better support individuals with learning disabilities or autism?
Subtext: Reflect on strategies you’ve used—or could use—to make care more inclusive and person-centred.

5. How do I balance regulatory compliance with compassionate, human-centred care?
Subtext: Think about how rules and empathy work hand-in-hand to create safer environments.

6. What role does my feedback play in shaping training and raising standards across the sector?
Subtext: Consider how sharing your experiences helps improve courses and supports professional growth.

7. How prepared am I to handle complaints constructively and turn them into positive outcomes?
Subtext: Reflect on your confidence in listening, responding, and documenting concerns effectively.

Conclusion

Natasha’s Law marks a vital step forward in protecting people with food allergies across the UK.

By requiring clear labelling of all ingredients and emphasising the 14 major allergens, the law ensures that individuals can make safer, more informed choices.

Beyond compliance, it represents a collective responsibility—raising standards together to prevent avoidable harm and build trust between food businesses and the communities they serve.

Every label, every ingredient list, and every act of transparency contributes to a culture of safety, dignity, and care.

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