Natasha’s Law: Protecting Lives with Clear Allergen Labelling

What is Natasha’s Law?

Natasha’s Law, introduced in October 2021, is a landmark regulation that has transformed food allergen labelling in the UK. It is named after Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, who died aged 15 after eating a baguette containing hidden sesame seeds to which she was allergic. Sesame wasn’t listed as an ingredient on the packaging. Had it been, Natasha would be alive today. Her death was entirely preventable.

Natasha’s Law requires all pre-packed foods for direct sale (PPDS) – food made on the premises and packaged for sale, such as sandwiches, salads and cakes - to display a full ingredients list with the top 14 allergens clearly highlighted. The introduction of Natasha’s Law closed a dangerous loophole in food safety, and the greater transparency it provides means people in the UK living with food allergies can have greater confidence that the foods they buy are safe to eat.

Natasha’s Story

Why Natasha’s Law was Introduced

On 17 July 2016, 15-year-old Natasha Ednan-Laperouse died after eating a baguette bought at Pret a Manger in Heathrow Airport. Natasha loved olives and artichokes and, reassured by the packaging, she chose a pre-packaged baguette before boarding her flight to Nice.

What Natasha couldn’t see was that sesame seeds had been baked into the bread dough. The packaging did not list sesame as an ingredient, and the seeds were invisible to the naked eye. Natasha, who was severely allergic to sesame, suffered a fatal anaphylactic reaction while on the plane. With no food ingredient labelling to warn her and no access to urgent medical care mid-flight, she tragically lost her life.

Natasha’s death exposed a devastating gap in UK food allergen labelling laws - a legal loophole allowing foods made on the premises and pre-packed for sale to be sold without full allergen labelling.

“If the baguette had been properly labelled, Natasha would not have died. Natasha was always extremely careful to check the food labels and until that terrible day in 2016 hadn’t had a severe allergic reaction for over nine years.” 

- Tanya and Nadim Ednan-Laperouse OBEs

A Campaign for Change

Tanya and Nadim Ednan-Laperouse OBEs, Natasha’s parents, have worked tirelessly to raise awareness and advocate for stronger allergen labelling laws.

“In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken.”

– Dr Sean Cummings, Coroner at Natasha’s inquest

Transforming Food Allergy Safety

• 2019: Nadim and Tanya raised public awareness of the shortcomings in UK food regulations after Natasha’s death.

• January 2019: Michael Gove MP, then the Environment Secretary, launched a Government consultation on new allergen labelling regulations.

• September 2019: Natasha’s Law was formally proposed in Parliament, requiring full ingredient labelling for pre-packed foods for direct sale.

• October 2021: Natasha’s Law came into effect. The two year grace period gave businesses time to comply, ensuring safer choices for people living with food allergies.

“The introduction of Natasha’s Law brings greater transparency about what people are buying and eating, lays down new standards for food companies, and highlights the battle against the growing epidemic of allergies.”

– Zac Goldsmith, former Food Minister

Allergen Labelling Matters

Food allergies affect millions of people in the UK. The number of people diagnosed with food allergies in this country has doubled over 20 years, and more people are experiencing severe allergic reactions to food known as anaphylaxis. Before Natasha’s Law, allergen labelling was inconsistent, confusing, and often inadequate.

Research & Statistics

Before Natasha’s Law was introduced:

• Only 37% of Brits found allergen labelling easy to interpret (Mintel)

• 48% were unsure whether food labels are clear

• 15% had no confidence in food labelling

• 88% of the public supported Natasha’s Law

After Natasha’s Law was introduced:

• 91% of businesses are aware of the law (Food Standards Agency)

• 68% indicated they have all the information they need to follow it.

• 40% of people with a food hypersensitivity say their lives have been improved – and the impact has been greater among younger people aged between 18 and 34 years than older adults aged 65+years.

Key Benefits of Natasha’s Law

• Clear, consistent allergen labelling

• Full ingredients lists for pre-packaged foods

• Greater consumer confidence and safety

“Ambiguous allergen labelling poses dangerous health risks. There is a strong demand for a UK-wide standard that makes allergens clear and consistent on all packaging.”

– Emma Clifford, Mintel

The Difference Natasha’s Law Makes

Kitty Clark, 21, is allergic to eggs, dairy, and kiwi. Before Natasha’s Law, she faced constant worry over the food she ate. Today, full ingredients labelling required by Natasha’s Law, now means she has confidence in the food she eats.

Kitty’s experience:

“Natasha’s Law has changed my life in ways that may seem small, but for someone with severe food allergies, these changes make the world of difference…

Seeing ingredients printed gave me confidence. Natasha’s Law has improved the lives of people with food allergies immeasurably, and most likely saved some too.”

Natasha’s Story has Changed the UK Food Industry Forever

“Natasha would be immensely proud of the law in her name because it has transformed the everyday lives of hundreds of thousands in this country – particularly younger people who are more likely to purchase ‘food on the go’ from sandwich shops.

For them, food allergy is not a choice or a preference, it is a serious and unpredictable disease that can cause a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis.

Thanks to Natasha’s Law, they can pick up a sandwich at lunchtime and feel confident that what they are eating is not going to do them any harm. Some now eat a wider variety of meals, because transparent labelling means they can trust what does and doesn’t contain allergens. It has improved the quality of life of families, taking away some of the stress and fear of having a child with a food allergy.”

- Tanya and Nadim Ednan-Laperouse OBEs, Founders of Natasha’s Foundation and Natasha’s parents

Legacy, Impact and Awareness

Natasha’s Legacy Ensures:

• Safer food labelling practices

• Increased awareness of food allergies

• Empowerment for consumers to make informed choices

Natasha’s Law has raised vital standards across the food industry, increasing transparency, consumer trust, and overall food safety.

The law highlights the Top 14 allergens but also reflects the growing demand for clearer, more consistent food labelling of all ingredients.

Through education, awareness, and enforcement, Natasha’s Law sets a powerful new benchmark for allergen labelling, not only in the UK but also as a model for future food safety regulations worldwide. Change often comes from tragedy. Natasha’s Law is a testament to the power of advocacy and public support in creating safer environments for all.

For more information on allergens and food labelling guidance, visit the Food Standards Agency