Environment Secretary proposes allergen labelling laws

Food outlets selling pre-packaged food could be required to put allergen warnings on their products.

Environment Secretary Michael Gove has revealed the proposed labelling laws to protect people with allergies.

The proposed law includes mandating full ingredient list labelling, allergen-only labelling on food packaging, applying ‘ask the staff’ labels on all products with supporting information for consumers available in writing and promoting best practice around communicating allergen information to consumers.

“We want to ensure that labels are clearer and that the rules for businesses are more consistent – so that allergy sufferers in this country can have confidence in the safety of their food. Many businesses are already bringing changes on board independently, and in the meantime they should continue doing all they can to give consumers the information they need,” Gove said.

Food outlets selling pre-packaged food could also be required to put allergen warnings on their products. This could also require staff to put allergen labels for foods that are packed on the same premises.

The move follows the death of the teenage girl, Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, who suffered an allergic reaction to a sandwich of Pret A Manger. This had also driven Pret A Manger, LEON and Deliveroo to launch initiatives in making sure their customers are informed of the allergens contained in their food.