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A guide for restaurants and caterers
Jan 31, 2024
Updated August 2026
Could allergen information soon become a mandatory feature on every restaurant menu? Owen's Law is campaigning to make written allergen information a legal requirement rather than recommended best practice. While legislation has yet to change, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has strengthened its guidance and committed to reporting industry uptake to ministers following its review.
After recent changes to food labelling legislation, including Natasha's Law and Calorie Labelling Legislation on menus, it may seem daunting to learn about a new requirement for caterers.
Read on to find out what Owen’s Law could mean for your business, what the current guidelines require, and how our labelling software, LabelLogic Live, could help.
What is Owen's Law?
Owen's Law is a campaign seeking better allergen information in restaurants, started by the family of Owen Carey, who tragically died in 2017 after suffering a fatal anaphylactic reaction caused by eating a grilled chicken burger at a Byron restaurant in London. Owen was told the burger would be 'plain grilled', but it had been marinated in buttermilk - to which he was highly allergic.
The campaigners want to build on Natasha's Law, which made ingredient and allergen listing a requirement for pre-packaged takeaway food, by improving the information given to allergy sufferers eating out in restaurants too. The campaign calls for restaurants to provide accurate written allergen information directly on menus, supported by a detailed allergen matrix, so customers can make informed choices without having to rely solely on conversations with staff.
Where things stand in 2026
Owen's Law was debated in the UK parliament in May 2023, and the FSA Board voiced its support later that year. Since then, things have moved forward in stages:
- March 2025: the FSA published its best-practice guidance on providing allergen information for non-prepacked food, covering the 14 major allergens and how they should be communicated in writing at the point of ordering.
- Spring 2026: the FSA is running an evaluation into how well businesses have actually adopted that guidance. The result of this review will inform ministers on whether Owen's Law needs to become a legal requirement. Limited uptake of the voluntary guidance could strengthen the case for mandatory legislation.
Although the formal legislation hasn't landed yet, the direction of allergen labelling is clear, and the guidance already sets the standard businesses are expected to be working towards.
Why businesses should not wait
Enforcement activity around allergen management is increasing, and businesses have faced prosecution where inadequate allergen information or procedures have contributed to serious incidents. In one recent case, a restaurant was fined over £40,000 after a customer was hospitalised with a severe allergic reaction; investigators found allergens hadn't been properly recorded or communicated on the menu, despite staff having recently completed allergen training.
This reinforces the growing expectation that written allergen information should support, rather than replace, conversations between customers and staff. Putting customer safety first isn't just good practice; it helps build confidence, strengthens your reputation and encourages repeat business.
What can you do to prepare?
Owen's Law complements existing food information legislation, including Natasha's Law and the Calorie Labelling Regulations. Understanding how these requirements work together can help businesses provide accurate information while remaining compliant.
Whether or not Owen's Law becomes legislation, providing clear written allergen information is increasingly viewed as best practice. Planglow’s food labelling software, LabelLogic Live, makes it simple to generate accurate menus and labels containing ingredients, allergens, calorie information and other key product details, helping you meet today's guidance while preparing for tomorrow's legislation.
LabelLogic Live is an affordable subscription-based solution that doesn't require specialist equipment. Using our cloud-based app, businesses can quickly create compliant menus and labels containing ingredients, allergens, calories and other important product information, helping customers make informed choices.
Get ahead of changing allergen requirements
- Book a consultation with one of our experts here.
- Find out more about the benefits of LabelLogic Live.
- Shop for labels designed for Natasha's Law and the Calorie Labelling Requirements.
Owen’s Law FAQs
Is Owen's Law currently law?
No, Owen's Law is still under consideration. Businesses are expected to follow the Food Standards Agency's best-practice guidance while ministers review whether legislation is required.
Does Owen’s Law apply across the UK?
Food businesses should always check the legislation and guidance that applies in the nation where they operate, as food law can differ across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Will restaurants have to list allergens on menus?
Not yet. However, the FSA recommends providing written allergen information at the point of ordering, and future legislation could make this mandatory.
Does Owen's Law replace Natasha's Law?
No. Natasha's Law applies to prepacked for direct sale (PPDS) foods. Owen's Law focuses on improving allergen information for non-prepacked food served in restaurants and other hospitality settings.
How can LabelLogic Live help?
LabelLogic Live, Planglow’s food labelling software, enables businesses to produce consistent menus and labels displaying allergen, ingredient and nutritional information, making it easier to follow current guidance while remaining prepared for future changes to food information legislation.
