A New Food Allergy Law to Force Businesses to List Full Ingredients on Labels

The new legislation will lead to tighter rules, as all pre-packaged food products made directly for sale will soon need to include the full ingredients on the label.

August 19, 2019 /MarketersMedia/ —

Michael Gove has introduced new legislation, Natasha’s Law, which will soon require food businesses to list the full ingredients on pre-packaged labels. Following the untimely death of 15-year-old Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, following her consumption of a baguette from Pret a Manger at Heathrow Airport, the environment secretary has introduced legislation to protect food allergy sufferers.

Natasha, who was from Fulham, London, experienced a fatal allergic reaction in July 2016, as she unwittingly consumed sesame in her sandwich, which led to her entering anaphylactic shock on board a flight to Nice, Italy.

Natasha’s Law is expected to come into force by summer 2021 and will apply to all businesses that sell pre-packaged food in England and Northern Ireland.

Natasha’s parents are believed to have been influential in the government’s decision, as they had previously called for the law to be introduced, which they reportedly discussed with Michael Gove.

“We are absolutely delighted the secretary of state has announced the Government’s decision to go ahead with full allergen and ingredient labelling,” said Natasha’s parents, Tanya and Nadim Ednan-Laperouse.

“While Natasha’s Law comes too late to save our beloved daughter, we believe that helping save other allergy sufferers and their families from enduring agony that we will always bear is a fitting legacy for her life. We would personally like to thank Michael Gove and health secretary Matt Hancock for their unflinching support in doing the right thing on behalf of all people with allergies.”

The government also hosted a food labelling law consultation in January, which provided both businesses and allergy sufferers with an opportunity to share their views on four potential labelling options.

The four options included allergen-only labelling, full ingredient listing, an “ask the staff” label, or a best practice for indicating allergen information to potential consumers.

It is believed more than 70% of the individuals asked supported the option to introduce full ingredients labelling.
Presently, any food prepared on a company’s premises and sold, such as a salad or packaged sandwiches made by staff on-site, do not require allergen information to feature on the packaging.

However, the new legislation will lead to tighter rules, as all pre-packaged food products made directly for sale will soon need to include the full ingredients on the label.

While the new legislation is expected to be introduced by summer 2021, businesses have been granted a two-year implementation period, which will provide them with the time they need to adopt the change into their practices.

In addition to adhering to the new legislation, companies should also take the steps to protect their organisation with business liability insurance.

Following the announcement, Mr. Gove commented, “Nadim and Tanya Ednan-Laperouse have been an inspiration in their drive to protect food allergy sufferers and deliver Natasha’s Law. “The changes will make food labels clear and consistent and will give the country’s two million food allergy sufferers confidence in making safe food choices.”

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