“Natasha’s Law has Given Me Hope and Freedom”

Jessie Flaum, 22, lives with multiple life-threatening allergies including eggs, all nuts, all seeds, chocolate, buckwheat, kiwi, and dairy.

For Jessie, even a small mistake with food could be life-threatening. Eating out or trying new foods has always been stressful and isolating.

Jessie’s Story:

“I have faced anaphylaxis more times than I can count, and there have been moments where, without my EpiPen and the people around me acting fast, I would not be here today. Those moments have left me knowing just how fragile my safety really is. For me, food has never been simple. Something that most people take for granted, grabbing a snack, eating with friends, going to a café, has always felt like stepping into danger. Even the tiniest trace, the smallest cross-contamination, could send me into a severe, life-threatening reaction. I have grown up feeling that every single piece of food I eat could end up giving me a life-threatening reaction.

“Before Natasha’s Law, eating out was not just difficult, it was almost impossible. Menus were vague, packaging rarely gave me the information I needed, and too often I was met with confused stares when I asked staff about ingredients. I felt like a burden, like I was being ‘awkward’ or ‘annoying,’ when in reality I was just trying to stay alive. The constant fear, the isolation and the embarrassment of having to interrogate every meal was completely exhausting. While my friends enjoyed food freely, I felt excluded and unequal, trapped by my allergies in a way that most people could never understand.

“Since Natasha’s Law came into force, something has changed. For the first time, I feel a little more protected, a little more equal. Clear and honest labelling means I no longer live with the constant fear that the packaged food is hiding something dangerous. It has lifted some of the crushing anxiety and given me a small taste of the freedom others have always had. Natasha’s Law is more than a policy, it is a lifeline and a huge step into a safer and more equal world for people with allergies. It means the struggles people like me face every single day are finally being seen. It gives me hope that the world can become safer, kinder, and more equal. A world where no one has to live with the same fear and isolation that has followed me for so long.” - Jessie Flaum

Clear Allergen Labels, Safer Lives

When you have food allergies, staying alert to accidentally ingesting your allergen(s) rules your world.

Before Natasha’s Law, buying food-on-the-go in the UK was filled with uncertainty and fear for millions of people with food allergies.

Natasha’s Law ensures all pre-packed foods in the UK clearly list all top 14 allergens, helping people like Jessie enjoy food safely and confidently. It is a small change in policy that creates a huge impact in everyday life.

“Natasha’s Law is more than a policy, it is a lifeline for people living with food allergies” - Jessie

Join Us in Making Life Safer for Young People with Food Allergies