The Pelican Edge
Spring 2021
7
EXPERTISE
GET STEADY! PREPARING YOUR BUSINESS FOR NATASHA’S LAW
Anna-Maria Holt RD shares the latest nutrition and dietetic news.
Food businesses have six months to prepare for the new allergen labelling legislation, known as Natasha’s Law, which comes to effect 1st October 2021. However, many food operators feel confused and unsure what this really means to their business. In this article, Registered Dietitian, Anna-Maria Holt, explains what businesses need to know and do to comply. What is Natasha’s Law? 2 million people are living with a diagnosed food allergy in the UK today, and 600,000 are living with Coeliac Disease, a condition which requires a strict gluten-free diet. Natasha’s Law is intended to help those living with food allergies or intolerances to make safe choices when buying pre-packed direct sales (PPDS) food items. These foods were not previously included in the existing allergen labelling legislation (FIR, 2014)1. The parents of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse believe that her death could have been prevented if the wrapped sandwich she consumed had been labelled clearly. Why is the new labelling legislation important? This latest change in the legislation will ensure that consumers will receive essential information on ingredients and allergens for packaged food items produced onsite. It is hoped that the new allergen labelling legislation will prevent further deaths among those living with food allergies. The legislation applies to all food operators across hospitality, care and education. All four UK nations are now aligned in enforcing the new
legislation as Scotland also recently laid the law in Parliament3.
Does the new allergen law apply to your business?
Under this new allergen labelling law, all food businesses selling foods categorised as pre-packed for direct sale (PPDS) must be ready to comply from 1st October 2021. This is the deadline for the implementation of the Food Information Amendment (2019)2.
Firstly, to find out if the new allergen labelling law affects your business you should establish whether any of the food you serve is categorised as PPDS. What is pre-packed for direct sale (PPDS) food? To determine this, you will need to answer these THREE
