Natasha’s Law comes into force from Friday, 1 October
Businesses selling pre-packaged foods will have to include full ingredients on the product label with allergy ingredients emphasised from Friday, 1 October as part of a new law.
Currently, food prepped on the premises it’s being sold on, doesn’t need to display allergen information.
A range of businesses including fast food outlets, takeaways, bakers, butchers and market stall holders will be required to implement the changes.
This will apply to pre-packaged foods such as sandwiches, salads, pasties and cakes.
The new law has been named ‘Natasha’s Law’, following the death of teenager Natasha Ednan-Laperouse who passed away in 2016.
She suffered an allergic reaction to a baguette purchased at a Pret sandwich shop while at Heathrow Airport.
Councillor Margaret Mullane, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety, said: “This is a landmark law for people with allergies and it will hopefully mean they can enjoy eating out easier and safer like everyone else.
“It will no doubt take some adjusting to for businesses, which is why we are urging food sellers across our borough to start looking into what they need to do to comply so that they don’t get caught out – failing to adhere to it isn’t just illegal, it could be life-threatening.”
The change won’t affect any food that is not in packaging or is packaged after being ordered by the consumer. Although these still require allergen information to be provided, it can be done verbally over the counter.
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Tags: Dagenham, Barking, Barking and Dagenham
