Victory for Natasha’s law: Parents of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, 15, who died after allergic reaction to Pret a Manger baguette win their fight to force food retailers to put full list of ingredients on products
- Michael Gove will announce ‘Natasha’s Law’ will come into force within two years
- It is part of a major tightening of food labelling rules following Natasha’s death
- She suffered reaction and went into shock on a flight when she ate sesame seeds
- Last night her parents hailed ‘fitting legacy’ which would protect other sufferers
Food retailers will have to put a full list of ingredients on all products in a victory for the parents of a teenager who died after eating a Pret a Manger baguette.
Environment Secretary Michael Gove will today announce that ‘Natasha’s Law’ will come into force within two years as part of a major tightening of food labelling rules.
Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, 15, died three years ago after suffering a reaction and going into shock on a flight when she unwittingly ate sesame seeds to which she was allergic.
Natasha Ednan-Laperouse (pictured with her father Nadim), 15, died three years ago after suffering a reaction and going into shock on a flight when she unwittingly ate sesame seeds to which she was allergic
Last night her parents hailed a ‘fitting legacy’ which would protect other allergy sufferers and their families from suffering their ‘enduring agony’.
But sandwich manufacturers warned the rules could force small shops out of business.
Currently pre-packed foods, such as sandwiches and salads, which are prepared on the premises where they are sold do not need to carry labels.
Environment Secretary Michael Gove (pictured) will today announce that ‘Natasha’s Law’ will come into force within two years as part of a major tightening of food labelling rules
From 2021, it will be against the law if products such as these are not labelled with a full list of ingredients.
Natasha’s parents Tanya and Nadim said they were ‘absolutely delighted’ and hailed Mr Gove’s ‘unflinching support’. Today they will launch a research foundation in her memory.
‘While Natasha’s Law comes too late to save our beloved daughter, we believe that helping save other allergy sufferers and their families from the enduring agony that we will always bear is a fitting legacy for her life,’ they added.
Last night her parents hailed a ‘fitting legacy’ which would protect other allergy sufferers and their families from suffering their ‘enduring agony’
Mr Gove told the Daily Mail that the law would ’empower all of us to make the right choices and keep ourselves and our loved ones safe’.
He added: ‘There are over two million people in the UK with food allergies and young people in particular often feel unable to speak out or ask about what’s in their food. But if they don’t have the information they need, the results can be truly tragic.
‘Nadim and Tanya’s dignity in the face of such unspeakable tragedy has been inspirational.’
Natasha’s parents Tanya and Nadim said they were ‘absolutely delighted’ and hailed Mr Gove’s ‘unflinching support’. Today they will launch a research foundation in her memory
But Jim Winship, director of the British Sandwich and Food to Go Association, said: ‘This will result in more danger to consumers with allergies as there is always going to be a risk of cross contamination in businesses with small kitchen areas.
‘Small food businesses also rarely have the technical knowledge to provide the detail required to comply with the food labelling requirements.
‘Many small operators are extremely worried by the risks involved and that the costs will make their businesses uneconomic. We are concerned that this decision has been driven by political objectives rather than good sense.’
Her parents Tanya and Nadim said: ‘While Natasha’s Law comes too late to save our beloved daughter, we believe that helping save other allergy sufferers and their families from the enduring agony that we will always bear is a fitting legacy for her life’
The Federation of Small Businesses said it would be ‘challenging’ for some firms to implement the new rules because of the extra costs.
An inquest heard both Natasha and her father checked the baguette bought at Heathrow and were ‘reassured’ by the lack of allergy warnings.
Natasha had been flying to Nice in July 2016. She used two epipens but suffered a cardiac arrest and died at a French hospital. Pret later apologised over her death.