People with food allergies to benefit as new allergen labelling law comes into force
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People living with food allergies, intolerances and coeliac disease across the UK, will be able to make safer choices about the food they buy as a new allergen labelling law comes into effect from Friday, October 1.
The new legislation, also known as Natasha’s Law, requires businesses to label all food that is prepacked for direct sale with a full list of ingredients, with the 14 major allergens emphasised in the list.
The move follows the death of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, in 2016 after eating a pre-packaged baguette which at the time did not require ingredients labelling.
Products that will now need to be labelled include pre-wrapped sandwiches, fast food that’s already in packaging before a customer places their order, and supermarket items such as cheeses and meat from the deli counter that are already wrapped and ready to be served.
The new law applies to foods packaged on the same site at which they are sold before being ordered; foods pre-packaged elsewhere already require full ingredients labelling, with allergens emphasised in the list.
The law also creates more consistency in the labelling of pre-packed products and gives more protection for people with food allergies and intolerances when purchasing ‘grab and go’ foods.
Food Standards Scotland chief executive, Geoff Ogle, said: “This is a huge step in helping improve the quality of life for around two million people living with food allergies in the UK – with 200,000 of those living here in Scotland.
“If these changes drive down the number of hospital admissions caused by food allergies, which has increased threefold over the past 20 years, and prevent further tragic deaths such as Natasha’s, that can only be a positive thing.
"I understand how difficult the past 18 months have been for food businesses, and I am grateful for the effort that so many have made to prepare for the changes.
“Food Standards Scotland has carried out extensive stakeholder engagement across the industry on the benefits, risks and impacts of this new legislation and has developed a suite of support assets. We will continue to highlight the changes and support retailers with practical guidance and online resources.”
Except where circumstances require immediate action, local authorities responsible for enforcing the law are being advised to take a proportionate and risk-based approach to breaches of the law by any of the 11,000 Scottish businesses directly affected by the legislation.
Both FSS and The Food Standards Agency are advising that minor errors are dealt with through extra guidance and support with the changes, particularly during the early months.
Natasha’s parents, Nadim and Tanya Ednan-Laperouse, said: “The introduction of Natasha’s Law is a bittersweet moment for us.
"We are delighted that people with food allergies will now have great protection through improved labelling and we know in our hearts that Natasha would be very proud of a new law in her name. However, the new law also reminds us that Natasha’s death was completely avoidable.
“Natasha’s Law is about saving lives and marks a major milestone in our campaign to support people in this country with food allergies.
“This change in the law will give people with food allergies confidence when they are buying pre-packaged food for direct sale such as sandwiches and salads. Everyone should be able to consume food safely.”
Food Standards Scotland has been supporting businesses to prepare for the changes for well over a year, with tools to help them understand which products are covered by the new rules, labelling guidance and sector-specific advice.
For more information, visit: foodstandards.gov.scot/prepacked
Examples of PPDS items can include - Sandwiches, pies, burgers, ready meals or cakes/baked goods prepared and packaged by a food business before the consumer selects them.
Foods prepared and packaged and sold at a market stall.
Wrapped deli counter goods such as cheese and meats, and boxed salads placed on a refrigerated shelf prior to sale.
Freshly made pizza or boxed salads from a supermarket deli counter which are packed on site and refrigerated prior to sale.
Mixed bags of sweets which are made up, packaged and sold on the same premises or from a mobile unit such as an ice cream van.
The new law states that fourteen key allergens which must be clearly identifiable by law - Cereals containing gluten; Crustaceans; Egg; Fish; Peanuts; Soybeans; Milk (including lactose); Nuts; Celery; Sesame; Seeds; Sulphur dioxide and/or sulphites; Lupin; Molluscs.
