The government has announced today (25th June) plans to introduce a new law requiring food businesses to include full ingredients labelling on foods prepacked for direct sale.
Defra defines prepacked food for direct sale as applying to, “foods that have been packed on the same premises from which they are being sold. These might include a packaged salad or baguette from a shop that was made by staff earlier in the day, packaged in the kitchen and then placed on a shelf for customers to purchase.”
Environment Secretary Michael Gove has confirmed the introduction of ‘Natasha’s Law’, following a consultation in January on allergen labelling after the death of a customer who had an allergic reaction to sesame from a product from a sandwich chain that was not labelled as containing any.
ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “Customer safety is a priority for all food businesses, we will continue to work with the Food Standards Agency during the two-year implementation period to help retailers understand and deliver the changes of the new law. Food businesses, large and small, will need detailed guidance and support to implement these changes.”
The government will introduce legislation by the end of summer, mandating full ingredients labelling for food prepacked for direct sale and the new laws will come into force by summer 2021.
Currently, food which is prepared on the premises in which it is sold is not required to detail allergen information in writing. The new legislation known as ‘Natasha’s Law’ will tighten the rules by requiring foods that are pre-packed directly for sale to carry a full list of ingredients.
ACS’ assured advice guidance covering the existing law in relation to allergens is available here.
