Today Environment Secretary Michael Gove announced Natasha’s Law, which requires food businesses to include full ingredient labelling on pre-packaged foods; in order to better protect those suffering from food allergies.
Under current laws, food prepared on the premises in which it is sold is not required to display allergen information in writing, meaning allergy sufferers sometimes lack confidence buying food out.
The law is named after Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, the teenager who tragically died after having an allergic reaction to a Pret a Manger baguette. The tightened regulations mean that allergy sufferers can have a greater trust in the pre-packaged food they buy.
This legislation will be introduced by the end of Summer 2019, calling for full ingredient labelling for foods prepacked for direct sale. The new laws will come into force by summer 2021, in order to give businesses time to adapt to the change.
Local MP, Caroline Dinenage, commented:
“The introduction of Natasha’s Law greater protects my constituents and the 2 million allergy sufferers in the UK, meaning that they can be confident in making safe food choices.”
Environment Secretary Michael Gove said:
“Nadim and Tanya Ednan-Laperouse have been an inspiration in their drive to protect food allergy sufferers and deliver Natasha’s Law.
These changes will make food labels clear and consistent and give the country’s two million food allergy sufferers confidence in making safe food choices.”
Chair of the Food Standards Agency Heather Hancock said:
“We want the UK to become the best place in the world for people living with food hypersensitivities.
The impact of food allergy and intolerance on quality of life can be as great or even greater than almost all other foodborne diseases.
Whilst it’s impossible to eliminate the risks entirely, we believe this change will mean better protection for allergic consumers.”