Allergen labelling in the UK has hit the headlines again with the case of Owen Carey, who had a dairy allergy and tragically died from anaphylactic shock after eating a burger marinated in buttermilk. This case comes after the tragic death of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, which led to new allergen labelling legislation, Natasha’s Law. Under the new law, catering businesses in England and Northern Ireland will need to include full ingredient labelling on all pre-packed food and drink offerings.

Compliance with allergen labelling can appear to be an overwhelming challenge to many catering businesses. However, there are straightforward solutions available. 

In this blog, we explain all about allergen labelling including, what are the 14 allergens caterers and consumers need to know about, what the law means, and how to comply - without compromising business efficiency. 

What are the 14 Allergens? 

Under Natasha’s Law, all ingredients need to be included on food and drink labels, including allergens highlighted in bold. There are 14 allergens, which could cause an allergic reaction in people who consume them and must be included on food labelling: 

• Cereals containing gluten 
• Crustaceans 
• Eggs 
• Fish 
• Peanuts
• Soybeans
• Milk 
• Nuts 
• Celery 
• Sesame seeds
• Sulphur Dioxide
• Sulphites
• Lupin
• Molluscs

The Food Standards Agency has compiled a handy chart which shows all the allergens with examples of where each can be found. 

The challenge is on for caterers to ensure that they list all the ingredients and allergens in their food and drink products. Caterers need to be compliant to protect their customers and their business. However, there is no need for these changes to compromise efficiency or the speed of delivery for consumers. What then is the solution?

Unique Labelling Software to Comply with Natasha’s Law

Planglow’s online label printing software, LabelLogic Live makes it easy to get ready for Natasha’s Law with its unique Auto Allergen feature. Just by ticking a box, caterers can bold allergens automatically within the ingredients list. 

The label software can save you hours and hours of data entry; the average user can input full ingredients for 30 products in one to two hours. It couldn’t be easier!

LabelLogic Live can also import ingredients and other product information from a spreadsheet or your existing product management software. To get an idea of the power and flexibility of our label software, check out how our customer, Elior, delivers legislatively compliant labels consistently and effectively across multiple sites.

Always Compliant Labelling

Our developers will continue to update our labelling solution in line with legislative changes. For instance, if the allergens list expanded, our customers would be able to add these to their labels easily without any disruption. Therefore you have the reassurance that your catering business will always be compliant - no matter the new laws which are introduced. 

New Allergen Labels

LabelLogic Live allows caterers to print clear labels with allergens on the back and front. We’ve made sure we have a broad selection of large sheet and roll labels specifically sized to fit even the longest of ingredients list. All of our 16 per sheet labels have been set up as 8 per sheet 2 part labels and we have a wide selection of large sheet and roll labels specifically designed to be compliant. 

Allergen Label

As well as bigger sheet and roll labels in both plain and branded finishes, we offer a dedicated Allergen Label. Ideal for back of house use, the Allergen Label displays a list of kitchen prep details and allergens which you can manually tick as appropriate.  It provides excellent adhesion in fridges and freezers (-40°C to +50°C), with the easy-peel adhesive removing from most materials down to -2°C. Use this label to ensure transparency, improve kitchen practices and safeguard your customers.

Highlight Labels 

We also have Highlight Labels which can be overprinted with any combination of allergen and dietary symbols to highlight information on-pack. Symbols include, halal, organic or even “one of your five a day”, but do get in touch if you need others. 

Meet the Allergen Labelling Challenge

Natasha’s Law will come into effect by 2021, and it is vital to start making changes to your allergen labelling now to protect your customers and your business better. LabelLogic Live is here to help you meet the challenge.

Get in touch to find out more.