Natasha's Law, explained simply

In short: Natasha's Law requires UK food businesses to put a full ingredients list on prepacked for direct sale (PPDS) food, with the 14 regulated allergens clearly emphasised. It has been in force since October 2021. It applies to food packed on the same premises it is sold from, before the customer selects it. It does not apply to food packed to order in front of them.

What is Natasha's Law?

Natasha's Law is the common name for UK allergen labelling rules for prepacked for direct sale (PPDS) food. Since October 2021, if you sell PPDS food in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, the packaging must show:

• the name of the food
• a full ingredients list (in descending order by weight)
• the 14 major allergens emphasised in that list (for example in bold, italics or colour) wherever they appear

There are no exemptions based on business size. Small cafés, bakeries and delis are covered the same as larger chains.

Official guidance:FSA introduction to allergen labelling for PPDS food.

Who it is named after

Natasha's Law is named after Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, who died in 2016 aged 15 after a severe allergic reaction to sesame in a prepacked baguette. The sesame was baked into the dough and was not listed on the packaging. Under the old rules, food made and packed on the same premises did not need a full ingredients label. Her parents campaigned for change; the new rules came into force in October 2021.

What counts as PPDS food?

PPDS food is food that is put into packaging on the same premises from which it is sold, and packed before the customer selects or orders it. Common examples include sandwiches, salads or wraps made in-store and placed in a fridge for customers to pick up.

It is not PPDS if you pack food to order in front of the customer, or if it is sold loose or unpackaged. Those foods still need allergen information when guests ask. FSA best practice is to make that information clear and written, not only spoken. See also our guide onOwen's Law and FSA guidance.

How Menucurist helps

Guests tell Menucurist what to avoid. You get a personalised digital menu of dishes they can order, based on the ingredients and allergens you have entered. That supports clear, written information for guests, covering the UK's 14 regulated allergens and any other ingredient they need to exclude.

It is a hospitality tool. It does not replace PPDS labelling on packaging, staff training, kitchen processes, or checking that your ingredient data is right.

Your responsibility

You are fully responsible for the accuracy of the allergen and ingredient information you provide, and for meeting Natasha's Law labelling rules where they apply. Menucurist does not verify, check or guarantee that data. Guests should still tell staff about allergies before ordering, and venues should follow current FSA and local authority requirements.