Half of businesses tested in breach of Natasha's Law

More than half of business are failing to abide by allergen labelling laws introduced following the death of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, spot checks carried out by Devon and Somerset Trading Standards have revealed.

The government body conducted tests at 100 sandwich shops, delis and bakeries across Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay and found that 56 of the businesses were in breach of regulations requiring full ingredient and allergen labelling on all food made on premises and pre-packed for direct sale.

Tests revealed that 34 premises had sold products that contained an undeclared allergen, often because the product had little or no labelling.

Of the samples that failed, because they contained an undeclared allergen, milk was the most prevalent in 44 per cent of the samples.

The legislation, known as Natasha's law, came into force in October 2021 following after the death of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse from anaphylaxis after she ate a baguette containing sesame bought from a branch of Pret a Manger.

Fakir Osman, head of Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service, said: "If you are a business who sells food it is vital that you have a thorough understanding of the changes in legislation and how it impacts on your business.

"These changes to the law are recent and currently those businesses whose labelling has been found to be in breach of the new law will receive advice from Trading Standards Officers on how to ensure their products are compliant.

"I advise that businesses read our guidance as the welfare of your customers and your business could depend on it."

Further sampling will take place later this year.