Food Labelling
Natasha’s Law Food Labelling Guidance
Practical guidance from Safer Food Scores labelling experts to help your business comply with Natasha’s Law for foods prepacked for direct sale (PPDS).
Background
What is Natasha’s Law?
Natasha’s Law is the name given to a change in the UK’s Food Information Regulations. Its main effect is that food pre-packaged on the same site it is supplied from is no longer exempt from needing a food label.
The change followed a UK-wide consultation after the tragic death of teenager Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, who died from an allergic reaction to a baguette that did not display allergen information on the packaging. The law came into effect on 1 October 2021.
Enforcement
What can happen if Natasha’s Law is not complied with?
If you have not labelled PPDS foods on site, Trading Standards or Environmental Health Officers may provide advice, serve an improvement notice or prosecute. They should take a risk-based, proportionate approach.
A more serious offence is to label a food incorrectly — especially if allergens are missing and an incident occurs. Formal action can include seizure, prosecution, unlimited fines and imprisonment.
Scope
Who it applies to, and which foods
It applies to any food business that pre-packs food on the same site it is offered or sold — restaurants, cafes, takeaways, street vendors, butchers, bakers, grocers, schools, canteens, care homes and more.
- 01 PPDS: packaged at the same place it is offered/sold, before ordered or selected
- 02 Includes display-unit foods and products kept behind a counter
- 03 Packaging must enclose contents so they cannot be altered without opening it
- 04 Exempt: packed after ordering; supplied B2B fully labelled; distance sales
Compliance
How to comply with Natasha’s Law
PPDS foods must be labelled with the name, full ingredients in descending weight order, allergens highlighted (usually bold), additives, meat content where required, and irradiated/GM declarations. Minimum font size is typically 1.2 mm x-height (0.9 mm for smaller packs). Packs under 10 cm² still need allergen labelling.
Our labelling experts can examine your Natasha’s Law labels or recipes/specs, explain any changes needed, and provide a due-diligence report — or check finished labels via our compliance service.
Next step
Make an enquiry about Natasha’s Law Food Labelling Guidance
Tell us about your sites and priorities — we’ll recommend the right mix of consultancy, audits or mentoring.