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Food and Beverages Allergen Regulations
Food and beverages (drinks) allergies are major conditions affecting millions of people worldwide.
A staggering 2.4 million people that’s 1 in 4 people in the UK have a clinically confirmed food allergy, including approximately:
- 7% of children and 2% of adults with Asthma are affected by food that triggers an Asthma attack.
- 600,000 people living with Celiac Disease, a condition that requires a Gluten-free diet.
The number of people in the UK with food and drink allergies has more than doubled since 2008, with the biggest increase in young children.
Food businesses, such as cafés, restaurants, and caterers that sell food to customers, must be transparent and provide visible information on allergens contained in the food and drinks they sell.
Your Legal Obligations
Food businesses are required by law to:
- Give customers information about allergens in pre-packaged and non-packaged food and drinks.
- Handle and manage food allergens effectively in food preparation.
Natasha’s Law
Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, a 15-year-old, died from an allergic reaction after consuming a baguette sandwich from an airport food shop in the UK in 2016. The sandwich, which contained allergens not listed on the label, caused Natasha to suffer a heart attack despite her father’s attempts to administer life-saving medication.
Natasha’s parents successfully campaigned for “Natasha’s Law,” which came into effect in October 2021 requires UK food businesses to label all ingredients and allergens on food made and sold on the premises.
Natasha’s Law is a regulation that helps keep food safe for customers with food allergies or intolerances.
By following this law, and providing full allergen information on the menu, a chalkboard, website or in an information pack, provides safe meals to these customers, while helping your business grow.
Food Safety Act 1990
The main responsibilities for all food businesses under this Act are:
- Ensuring that they do not add, remove, or alter any food in a way that could harm people’s health
- Ensuring that the food they serve, or sell is the type, content, and quality that customers expect
- Ensuring that the food is labelled, advertised, and presented in a way that is not false or misleading
- Give customers information about allergens in pre-packaged and non-packaged food and drinks.
- Handle and manage food allergens effectively in food preparation.
Food Information Regulation
This regulations that came into effect on 14th July 2014 means that food businesses must:
- Provide information about allergens if the food has any of the 14 allergens
- Tell customers if the food has any of the 14 allergens
- Provide information if the food contains any of the 14 allergens
- List the 14 allergens that may be in the food
14 Allergens You Must Declare
