The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) is hosting a range of specially created information resources that promote awareness of a change in food allergen labelling laws.
The Food Information (amendment) Regulations, which were brought into force on October 1 demand that restaurants selling takeaway food – or any business that sells food that is pre-packaged for direct sale (PPDS) – clearly displays its ingredients, with allergens highlighted, on its labelling.
The new regulations are also known as Natasha’s Law, in tribute to Natasha Ednan Laperouse, who died at the age of 15 in 2016 after experiencing an allergic reaction to sesame seeds contained in a baguette. Her parents have campaigned for a change in the law since her death.
The new information resources were created by the Greater Gwent Food Group, with support from Lancashire County Council Trading Standards, Trading Standards Wales and the Food Standards Agency. The resources include videos, posters and presentations.
The resources are available in English, Welsh, Bengali, Cantonese, Kurdish, Mandarin, Punjabi, Turkish and Urdu, in an effort to reach as many people as possible.
The campaign was the brainchild of Dilys Harris, Senior Trading Standards Officer at Caerphilly County Borough Council, who said: “Trading Standards Wales is proud to promote this resource and feels it is very important that allergen legislation is understood throughout the many communities we serve.”
“It will be used by local authorities across Wales, England and Northern Ireland and is suitable for food businesses, food law enforcement officers and educational establishments.
“We aim to promote the importance of clear, accurate food information that consumers can trust and the supply of safe food.”
The allergen information resources are available here.
