UK Food Labelling Law: What Are Businesses Required to Disclose?
UK food labelling is governed by the Food Information for Consumers (FIC) Regulation, retained in UK law after Brexit and enforced by the Food Standards Agency. The rules set out what food businesses must provide on packaged food and - since the Natasha Law in 2021 - on food pre-packed for direct sale.
- Food businesses must declare all 14 major allergens clearly on packaging, or via written or verbal communication for loose foods.
- The Natasha Law (October 2021) requires all food pre-packed for direct sale to carry a full ingredients list with allergens emphasised.
- Nutritional labelling - energy, fat, saturates, carbohydrates, sugars, protein, salt - is mandatory for most pre-packaged foods.
- Use by is a food safety date (do not consume after). Best before is a quality indicator (food may still be safe after this date).
The 14 Major Allergens
UK law requires declaration of 14 major allergens: celery, cereals containing gluten (wheat, rye, barley, oats), crustaceans, eggs, fish, lupin, milk, molluscs, mustard, tree nuts, peanuts, sesame seeds, soya, sulphur dioxide and sulphites. On packaged food, allergens must be emphasised in the ingredients list - typically in bold, italic or a different colour.
The Natasha Law
The Natasha Law came into force on 1 October 2021 following the death of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse from an allergic reaction to a pre-packed baguette in 2016. All food pre-packed for direct sale (PPDS) - sandwiches or other food packaged at the point of sale - must now carry a full ingredient list with allergens emphasised. Before the law, PPDS food had no labelling requirement.
Best Before vs Use By
Use by is a food safety date - do not consume after this date even if the food looks and smells fine. Selling food past its use by date is a criminal offence. Best before is a quality indicator - food may be safe after this date but quality may have deteriorated. Selling food past its best before date is legal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What changed with the Natasha Law?
Before the Natasha Law, food pre-packed for direct sale did not need ingredient or allergen information on the label. From 1 October 2021, all PPDS food must carry a full ingredients list with allergens emphasised, matching the requirements for pre-packaged food.
Can supermarkets sell food past its best before date?
Yes. Selling food past its best before date is legal. Best before dates indicate quality not safety. Selling food past its use by date is illegal. Some retailers and food banks sell best-before-exceeded food at reduced prices to reduce waste.
What should I do after a reaction to incorrectly labelled food?
Seek medical attention first. Report to the Food Standards Agency at food.gov.uk and your local Trading Standards service. Keep the packaging. If you have suffered harm, you may have a claim under the Consumer Protection Act 1987 - seek legal advice promptly.
Are restaurants required to provide allergen information?
Yes. All food businesses selling non-prepacked food - restaurants, cafes, takeaways, market stalls - must provide allergen information for all 14 major allergens in every dish. This can be given verbally, in writing or via a menu, but must be accurate and up to date.
