SUMMER 2021 ROUND-UP Are you ready for Natashas Law? Food businesses in England should be aware that the 2019 UK Food Information (Amendment) (England) Regulations come into force from 1 October 2021. This means that all pre-packed for direct sale (PPDS) foods prepared on the premises must be labelled with a full list of ingredients, including any of the 14 allergens required by food law. If present, these allergens must be emphasised on the ingredients list. Food sold by distance selling is not affected by the changes. ROUND-UP The new legislation is known as Natashas Law, after 15-year-old Natasha EdnanLaperouse, who died in 2016 after suffering an allergic reaction to a Pret a Manger olive, artichoke and tapenade baguette. Natasha had a sesame allergy and was not aware that sesame seeds had been baked into the bread. After a campaign by her parents, the government introduced more robust legal guidelines to protect those with allergies, and to give them greater confidence in the food they buy. It is estimated that two million people in the UK suffer from food allergies, and around 10 people die from food-induced anaphylaxis every year. Young people are known to be more at risk from suffering a severe reaction. Many food outlets already show full ingredients on their products. If you have not yet made the necessary changes, What is PPDS? Pre-packed for direct sale (PPDS) foods include: n Sandwiches and bakery products packed and displayed for sale before a customer selects or orders them n Fast food packed before it is ordered for example, pre-packed pizzas and salad boxes n Burgers and sausages pre-packed by a butcher for sale on the premises n Free samples that have been packed on site n Foods packaged and then sold elsewhere by the same food business operator for example, on a market stall or mobile vehicle n Pre-packed food provided in schools, care settings and hospitals, for example. however, you must ensure adequate signage is available advising allergy suffers how they can get the right ingredient information. Your staff also need to be trained in dealing with allergen queries and must know the precise ingredients in each item sold. The Food Standards Agency [FSA] has welcomed the new law as a step towards our ambition for the UK to become the best place in the world for people who have food allergies and intolerances. For more information, guides and tools to help you prepare for these changes, go to the FSA website Credit: Helen Cameron, Chartered Environmental Health Practitioner, senior practitioner (food and HS) Image: iStock.com / t_kimura For further information please contact your local Trading Standards Service