Breaches of food-allergen legislation Natasha’s Law are rife in convenience stores, just a year on from its introduction, trading standards officers have warned.
The legislation, implemented on 1 October 2021, requires UK businesses who sell fresh pre-packed food for direct sale to list all the ingredients and allergens on the packaging.
This can include products such as sandwiches, wraps, salads, olives and pastries.
Businesses found in breach of Natasha’s Law will initially be issued with an enforcement notice. The most severe penalties for not following the enforcement notices can escalate to unlimited fines and a six-month prison sentence.
Despite the potential penalties, non-compliance in food businesses was still common a year since Natasha’s Law was introduced.
One environmental health officer based in the south of England, who asked not to be named, told Better Retailing: “We’ve visited takeaways and convenience stores who have to follow Natasha’s Law and compliance isn’t great.
“They don’t think they have to follow it, and a lot of the publicity has been around chains such as Greggs and Pret a Manger.
“Some businesses are consciously trying to get around the restrictions by not following the rules on packaging. Our compliance officers do get the message out and we give advice to them on how to be compliant.
“We chase it up, but we can’t enforce it. We can only submit reports about non-compliance to trading standards.”
One environmental health manager from Medway Council added that the council had carried out 676 food hygiene inspections, and a further 239 inspections on new food businesses between October 2021 to October 2022.
They said: “Natasha’s Law should have been discussed at every inspection where it was relevant. Officers would then undertake a graduated enforcement approach – particularly with new legislation – with further actions ranging from verbal advice, to written advice, then potentially improvement notices or prosecution.”
Enforcement levels of Natasha’s Law also varied across the UK. Amit Puntambekar, of Ash’s Shop in Cambridgeshire, told Better Retailing: “We’ve not had any enforcement officers visit, but I don’t know if that’s because customers aren’t reporting us.
“Our bakery sales seem to have benefited from the packaging having all the ingredients and allergens listed on them. Customers are more confident buying products from us.”
The restrictions were introduced following the death of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, after she had an allergic reaction to a sandwich purchased from fast-food chain Pret a Manger.
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