Natashas Law (Food Information Amendment 2019)
Full ingredient labelling for prepacked for direct sale food
Natashas Law is the common name for the Food Information (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2019, which came into force on 1 October 2021. It was introduced following the death of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse in 2016 after she suffered an allergic reaction to sesame in a Pret a Manger baguette that did not carry allergen labelling. The law requires all food businesses that produce prepacked for direct sale (PPDS) food to label it with a full ingredients list, with the 14 specified allergens clearly emphasised. PPDS food is food that is packaged at the same premises from which it is sold, before a customer selects or orders it. Common examples include sandwiches made and wrapped in a cafe, boxed salads in a hotel grab-and-go counter, or pastries wrapped in a bakery. The law is also informally known as Owens Law following the death of Owen Carey in 2017 from an allergic reaction to buttermilk in a restaurant.
Key Requirements
Full ingredients list on PPDS food
All prepacked for direct sale food must carry a label listing every ingredient used in the product.
Allergens must be emphasised
Any of the 14 specified allergens present in the ingredients must be emphasised on the label, typically by using bold, italics, or a different colour.
Name of the food must be included
The label must include the name of the food product so the customer can identify what it is.
Labels must be accurate and up to date
If a recipe changes or a substitute ingredient is used, labels must be updated immediately to reflect the actual ingredients.
What Your Business Must Do
Identify which of your products are PPDS
Determine which items you prepare, package, and sell on the same premises. These are the items that need full ingredient labelling.
Create ingredient lists for all PPDS items
Document full ingredients for every PPDS product. Cross-reference against the 14 allergens and ensure they are emphasised.
Implement a labelling system
Set up a reliable method for producing and applying labels, whether printed labels, handwritten labels, or a digital labelling system.
Train staff on PPDS labelling requirements
Ensure all kitchen and front-of-house staff understand what PPDS means, how to label correctly, and the importance of updating labels when recipes change.
Set up a process for recipe changes
Create a procedure so that any time an ingredient is substituted or a recipe is modified, labels are immediately updated.
Keep records of ingredients and suppliers
Maintain records of ingredient specifications from suppliers so you can verify allergen content and trace ingredients if needed.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Failure to label PPDS food with ingredients and allergens
Prosecution under food safety legislation with an unlimited fine. Enforcement action can include improvement notices, product withdrawal, and hygiene emergency prohibition.
Providing inaccurate allergen labelling
Unlimited fine and potential imprisonment. Where inaccurate labelling causes injury or death, prosecution for manslaughter or corporate manslaughter may also be considered.
Failure to maintain labelling records
Improvement notices from the local authority, with prosecution for non-compliance with the notice carrying an unlimited fine.
How Paddl Helps
Allergen matrix for all menu items
Track ingredients and allergens for every product, including PPDS items, with easy updates when recipes change.
Staff training and sign-off
Ensure all team members complete PPDS labelling training and sign off on allergen handling procedures.
Knowledge hub for labelling procedures
Store your PPDS labelling procedures, recipe cards, and allergen guides in Paddls knowledge hub for easy staff access.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as prepacked for direct sale (PPDS)?
PPDS food is food that has been packaged at the same premises from which it is being sold, before a specific customer orders or selects it. Examples include sandwiches made and wrapped in a cafe, sealed salad boxes in a deli, or individually wrapped pastries in a bakery.
Does Natashas Law apply to food made to order?
No. Food that is made or packaged after a customer orders it is not PPDS. However, you still need to provide allergen information under the Food Information Regulations 2014 for non-prepacked food.
Do I need to include nutritional information on PPDS labels?
No. Natashas Law only requires the food name, a full ingredients list, and allergens emphasised. Nutritional declarations are not required for PPDS food under this legislation.
When did Natashas Law come into force?
Natashas Law came into force on 1 October 2021 in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Scotland introduced equivalent requirements at the same time.
Stay compliant with Natashas Law
Paddl makes regulatory compliance simple. Digital records, automated reminders, and audit-ready documentation — all in one platform built for UK hospitality.