Have you heard about Owen’s Law? It’s a proposal to make allergen information on menus a legal requirement rather than guidance. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has announced it will recommend such an update to the law.

After many labelling changes, 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 how this new legislation could affect your business 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 in 2017 tragically suffered a fatal anaphylactic reaction after eating a grilled chicken burger at a Byron Burger 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 would like to build on Natasha’s Law, which has made ingredients and allergy listing a requirement for pre-packaged takeaway food, by improving the information given to allergy sufferers in restaurants too. They would like to see the following change in the law:

"Restaurants to put more appropriate and accurate information about the allergens in their food on the face of the main menu and in a detailed allergy matrix, so that customers have full visibility on what they are ordering.” (Owen's Law Campaign)

FSA position - is new legislation coming soon?

After Owen’s Law was debated in the UK parliament in May 2023, the FSA discussed the proposals again later that year at its December Board. Following this, the FSA then confirmed it is considering making it mandatory for restaurants and cafes to publish allergy information on menus.

Professor Susan Jebb, Chair of the FSA said:

“I will write to Ministers in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland and contact my counterpart at Food Standards Scotland to discuss the Board’s position as the Board would like to see them take this forward on a four-country basis.

“Meanwhile I want us to do all we can in the FSA to provide guidance and support to business so that we can quickly start to make improvements that will be helpful for people with food hypersensitivities when they are eating out”. (New Food Magazine)

What can you do to prepare?

In light of this, it seems likely this legislation will be coming into effect sometime soon. LabelLogic Live is here to enable your business to meet whatever form of Owen’s Law comes into effect and any other legislative updates. Use our clever labelling app to keep your customers informed and stay compliant by adding information about ingredients, calories, allergens, or any other information you choose on your menu.

LabelLogic Live is a cost-effective subscription-based solution that doesn’t require specialist equipment. It’s easy to get started - all you need is a box of labels and the app.

What’s next?

• 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.