Guide to Natasha's Law: What Every Food Business Needs to Know 🇬🇧

Natasha's Law is a crucial piece of UK food safety legislation that affects every food business. Understanding and complying with this law is essential for protecting your customers and avoiding legal consequences.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about Natasha's Law, from what it is to how to implement compliant labeling in your business.

What is Natasha's Law?

Natasha's Law is named after Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, a teenager who tragically passed away in 2016 after suffering a fatal allergic reaction to undeclared sesame seeds in a baguette. Her story highlighted the urgent need for clearer allergen labeling in food.

The law requires that all prepacked for direct sale (PPDS) food includes a full list of ingredients and highlights allergens.

The Legal Framework:

• Enacted: October 2021
• Scope: All UK food businesses
• Penalties: Up to £10,000 fines and potential prosecution
• Enforcement: Local authorities and Environmental Health Officers (EHOs)

What Counts as PPDS Food?

PPDS food is any food that is:

• Made and packed on the same premises where it's being sold
• Prepacked before the customer orders it

Examples of PPDS Food:

🥪 Sandwiches made on-site and wrapped before sale 🥤 Smoothies pre-bottled in-store 🥗 Salads prepared in advance and displayed in a fridge 🍰 Cakes and pastries packaged for display 🥪 Wraps and paninis made ahead of time 🍱 Meal deals and lunch boxes 🥤 Drinks bottled or packaged in-store

What's NOT PPDS:

• Food made to order (like a custom sandwich)
• Food packaged at the point of sale
• Food made off-premises and delivered
• Food sold loose (like bakery items without packaging)

Simple rule: If the customer can pick it up without it being freshly packaged at the point of order, it's PPDS.

What Must Be on the Label?

Under Natasha's Law, every PPDS label must include:

1. Full List of Ingredients

• All ingredients in descending order of weight
• No hidden ingredients - everything must be declared
• Clear ingredient names that customers can understand

2. Clear Allergen Information

The 14 major allergens must be highlighted using one of these methods:

• Bold text
• CAPITAL LETTERS
• Different colour
• Underlined text

3. The 14 Major Allergens:

1. Celery (including celeriac)
2. Cereals containing gluten (wheat, rye, barley, oats)
3. Crustaceans (crab, lobster, prawns)
4. Eggs
5. Fish
6. Lupin (lupin seeds and flour)
7. Milk
8. Molluscs (mussels, oysters, squid)
9. Mustard
10. Peanuts
11. Sesame
12. Soybeans
13. Sulphur dioxide/sulphites (at levels above 10mg/kg)
14. Tree nuts (almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, cashews, etc.)

4. Label Format Requirements:

• Clear and legible text
• Durable labels that won't fade or smudge
• Prominent placement on the packaging
• Consistent formatting across all products

Why This Matters

Customer Safety:

• Allergies can be life-threatening - anaphylaxis can occur within minutes
• Clear labeling saves lives by preventing accidental exposure
• Peace of mind for customers with allergies and their families

Business Compliance:

• Legal requirement - failure to comply is a criminal offence
• Fines up to £10,000 for non-compliance
• Potential prosecution and business closure
• Regular inspections by Environmental Health Officers

Business Trust:

• Transparency builds customer loyalty
• Demonstrates commitment to food safety
• Protects your brand reputation
• Reduces liability risks

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Relying on Handwritten Labels

Problem: Handwritten labels are often illegible, inconsistent, and prone to errors Risk: Missing allergen information, compliance failures, customer safety issues

❌ Forgetting to Update Recipes

Problem: Not updating labels when ingredients change Risk: Outdated allergen information, potential allergic reactions

❌ Poor Staff Training

Problem: Staff not trained on allergen awareness and labeling requirements Risk: Inconsistent compliance, missed allergens, safety incidents

❌ Using Low-Quality Labels

Problem: Labels that fade, smudge, or peel off in fridges/freezers Risk: Unreadable allergen information, compliance failures

❌ Inconsistent Allergen Highlighting

Problem: Not clearly highlighting the 14 major allergens Risk: Customers missing critical allergen information

How to Stay Compliant

1. Implement a Proper Labeling System

• Use printed labels instead of handwritten ones
• Choose durable materials that withstand kitchen conditions
• Ensure consistent formatting across all products

2. Maintain Accurate Ingredient Databases

• Keep ingredient lists up to date
• Include all allergens in your database
• Regularly review and update recipes

3. Train Your Staff

• Allergen awareness training for all staff
• Labeling procedure training
• Regular refresher courses

4. Regular Compliance Checks

• Audit your labeling regularly
• Check for missing allergens
• Verify label durability and readability

How InstaLabel Helps You Stay Compliant

At InstaLabel, we make Natasha's Law compliance simple and stress-free:

✅ Automatic Allergen Detection

• 14 major allergens automatically identified from your ingredient lists
• Real-time allergen checking as you add ingredients
• Cross-contamination warnings for shared equipment

✅ PPDS Label Templates

• Pre-built templates specifically designed for Natasha's Law compliance
• Automatic ingredient listing in descending order of weight
• Clear allergen highlighting using bold text and visual warnings

✅ Durable Kitchen-Grade Labels

• Thermal printing - no smudging or fading
• Water-resistant labels for fridge and freezer use
• Strong adhesive that stays put in kitchen conditions

✅ Real-Time Accuracy

• Connected to your ingredient database for instant updates
• Automatic label updates when recipes change
• Consistent formatting across all products

✅ Compliance Reporting

• Digital audit trails for all labeled products
• EHO inspection-ready reports
• Compliance monitoring and alerts

Real-World Compliance Examples

Example 1: Sandwich Shop

Before InstaLabel:

• Handwritten labels with inconsistent allergen information
• Staff forgetting to highlight allergens
• Labels fading in the fridge display

After InstaLabel:

• Professional printed labels with clear allergen highlighting
• Automatic allergen detection from ingredient database
• Durable labels that stay readable

Example 2: Café Chain

Before InstaLabel:

• Inconsistent labeling across multiple locations
• Manual updates when recipes changed
• Compliance risks from human error

After InstaLabel:

• Centralized ingredient database
• Automatic label updates across all locations
• Consistent compliance across the chain

Cost of Non-Compliance

Financial Impact:

• Fines up to £10,000 per violation
• Legal costs for prosecution
• Business interruption during investigations
• Lost revenue from damaged reputation

Reputational Damage:

• Negative media coverage
• Loss of customer trust
• Difficulty attracting new customers
• Staff morale impact

Operational Impact:

• Increased inspection frequency
• Additional compliance requirements
• Staff retraining costs
• Product recalls and waste

Getting Started with Natasha's Law Compliance

Step 1: Assess Your Current Situation

• Audit your current labeling procedures
• Identify PPDS products in your business
• Review ingredient databases for allergen information
• Check staff training on allergen awareness

Step 2: Choose a Labeling Solution

• Look for Natasha's Law compliance features
• Ensure durable label materials
• Check for automatic allergen detection
• Verify ease of use for your staff

Step 3: Implement and Train

• Set up your labeling system
• Train staff on new procedures
• Test with a few products first
• Monitor compliance and gather feedback

Step 4: Maintain Compliance

• Regular audits of your labeling
• Update ingredient databases as needed
• Ongoing staff training
• Monitor for regulatory changes

Future of Allergen Labeling

Emerging Trends:

1. Digital allergen information (QR codes linking to detailed info)
2. AI-powered allergen detection from ingredient lists
3. Real-time allergen alerts for customers
4. Integration with ordering systems for automatic allergen checking

Regulatory Developments:

• Potential expansion of allergen requirements
• Enhanced enforcement by local authorities
• International harmonization of allergen regulations
• Consumer demand for more detailed allergen information

Conclusion: Making Compliance Work for You

Natasha's Law is about more than regulation — it's about making food safe for everyone. By embracing smart labeling systems, food businesses can not only comply with the law but also show customers that their safety comes first.

Key Takeaways:

1. PPDS food requires full ingredient lists with highlighted allergens
2. The 14 major allergens must be clearly highlighted
3. Compliance is mandatory with significant penalties for non-compliance
4. Smart labeling systems make compliance simple and reliable
5. Customer safety should be your top priority

Why Choose InstaLabel:

• Automatic compliance with Natasha's Law
• Professional printed labels that never fade
• Real-time allergen detection from your ingredients
• Comprehensive audit trails for inspections
• Simple, fast labeling that doesn't slow down service

👉 Ready to simplify Natasha's Law compliance? Start your free trial with InstaLabel today and ensure your business stays compliant while protecting your customers.

Need help implementing Natasha's Law compliance in your kitchen? Book a free consultation with our food safety experts.