A new law that affects local retailers who sell food-to-go comes into force in Scotland on 1 October 2021.
The so-called ‘Natasha’s law’ will make it a legal requirement for food businesses to include the product name on labels for prepacked for direct sale (PPDS) foods and make sure a full list of ingredients, including allergen information, is clearly stated.
The law is named after 15-year-old Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, who died in 2016 following a severe allergic reaction after eating a Pret a Manger baguette.
Prepacked for direct sale refers to any item of food packaged so that its contents can’t be altered before being sold to the customer. These include sandwiches, pies, burgers, ready meals or cakes/baked goods prepared and packaged by a food business before a shopper picks them.
It also refers to food items which have been packaged in-store before being offered for sale.
From 1 October, PPDS labelling should include the 14 ‘most common’ allergens listed in food information law, as well as other ingredients which could trigger reactions.
Similar laws are being introduced across the rest of the UK.
Food Standards Scotland has developed a range of resources to help retailers and will work closely with the Food Standards Agency to publish information to ensure businesses of all sizes can get ready for the changes.
Find out more on the Food Standards Scotland website.
