What is Natasha’s Law?

What the name actually refers to

“Natasha’s Law” is not a separate Act with that title. It is how food businesses talk about the PPDS allergen labelling requirements introduced after the death of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse. The legal machinery sits in food information law: when food is packed before the customer chooses it, and sold by the same business from the same premises or site, that pack must show a name and a full ingredients list with allergenic ingredients emphasised.

The Food Standards Agency’s PPDS materials are the practical reference. If your product is not PPDS — for example it is packed to order in front of the customer, or sold loose — different allergen information rules apply, but customers still need clear information.

Who it applies to

• Bakeries, cafés, delis, butchers, pubs, hotels and farm shops packing food before sale
• Home bakers and market traders who prepack goods for the same stall or premises
• Caterers packing individual meals or snack packs ahead of collection
• Any food business operator placing PPDS food on the market in the UK

What must appear on the pack

1. The name of the food — clear enough that a customer knows what they are buying
2. A full ingredients list in descending order of weight
3. Emphasis of any of the 14 allergens every time they appear (bold, capitals, colour or underline)
4. Compound ingredients broken out so allergens inside mixes are still visible

What Natasha’s Law does not replace

It does not replace hygiene duties, use-by dates where they apply, or the need for accurate supplier information. An allergen matrix on the wall is useful for staff — it is not a substitute for the ingredients list on a PPDS pack.

Questions