UK : A new law is set to be brought forward by the end of summer which will require food businesses to include full ingredient labelling on pre-packaged foods.
Making the announcement, environment secretary Michael Gove said the new legislation, known as ‘Natasha’s Law’, aims to protect the country’s two million food allergy sufferers.
The new law was necessitated following the tragic death of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, the teenager who died after suffering an allergic reaction to a Pret a Manger baguette, and will replace the current laws, where 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.
Environment secretary Michael Gove said, “Nadim and Tanya Ednan-Laperouse, Natasha’s parents, 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.”
Natasha Ednan-Laperouse’s parents Tanya and Nadim said: “We are absolutely delighted that the Secretary of State has announced the government’s decision to go ahead with full allergen and ingredient labelling. While Natasha’s Law comes too late to save our beloved daughter, we believe that helping save other allergy sufferers and their families from the enduring agony that we will always bear is a fitting legacy for her life.”
The introduction of ‘Natasha’s Law’ follows a consultation in January proposing four options, including full ingredient list labelling; allergen-only labelling; ‘ask the staff’ labels on products; and promoting best practice to businesses.
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 food borne diseases.”
Allergy UK CEO Carla Jones said: “We are delighted with the news that Defra’s labelling review backs mandatory full ingredient labelling for pre-packed direct sale food. This move towards full ingredient labelling for pre-packed direct sale food will improve the lives of the allergic customers.”