Over the last two years Kent Scientific Services have carried out 505 tests for the presence of allergens and of those 57 have failed. That’s just over 11%. The impact on consumers when they consume food which has allergens in them which are undeclared can be serious. The presence of gluten can cause someone with Coeliacs disease serious illness or discomfort. The undeclared presence of sesame can cause serious illness or even death, as was the case which led to recent changes in the law, with the introduction of Natasha’s Law.

Not sure if this applies to your business? 

Answer these 4 questions “Yes” and the Law applies to you.

The food is provided to the consumer in person.

Q2. Is the food presented to the consumer in packaging? The packaging should fully or partly enclose* the food when presented to the consumer as the final product 

*If fully or partly enclosed by packaging, the food cannot be altered without opening or changing the packaging in some way.

Yes

The food is packed.

Q3. Is the food packaged before the consumer selects or orders it? Yes

The food is prepacked. 

Q4. Is the food packaged at the same place* it is sold? 

* This includes food packaged by the same food business and sold at a temporary or mobile site, such as a food truck or market stall and food packaged and offered at different units in one building complex, such as an airport or shopping centre.

Yes

Prepacked for direct sale 

This food is prepacked for direct sale.

(From the Food Standards Agency Decision making tool) 

According to the new rules, PPDS food will have to clearly display the following information on the packaging:

•• Name of the food.

•• Full ingredients list, with allergenic ingredients emphasised (for example in bold, italics or a different colour).

For free advice on Natasha’s Law contact Trading Standards on 03000 41 20 20 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm). TSbusinessadvice@kent.gov.uk   

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) 

The Food Standards Agency has produced a wealth of information. Watch this video to see the changes to food allergen information; what you need to know and what you need to do. 

FSA Labelling Guidance 

This guidance is to help food businesses, affected by the new prepacked for direct sale (PPDS) allergen labelling requirements, better understand how to label their food products. 

FSA Technical Guidance 

The Technical Guidance is for:

• all food manufacturers, importers and producers

• retailers, institutional caterers and other food businesses

• packers

• enforcement authorities 

Kent Scientific Services 

Kent Scientific Services can do allergen testing on your food. Kent Scientific Services test food for Trading Standards and Environmental Health across the south and south east of England as well as private businesses. One of the tests they carry out most frequently is looking for undeclared allergens in food. Trading Standards and Environmental Health send a sample for two reasons. The first is they have some information, maybe a complaint from a member of the public about an allergic reaction, or secondly they are carrying out routine sampling to ensure the food on sale to the public is safe for them to eat. 

Call 03000415100 or email kss@kent.gov.uk if you are interested in accessing their services. 

Other Resources   

Allergen checklist for food businesses

Includes guidance for kitchen staff, waiters and front of house, delivery orders and takeaway. 

• Allergen and intolerance sign 

• Allergen information for loose foods 

• Chef’s recipe sheet for allergens 

FSA’s prepacked for direct sale (PPDS) food labelling webinar for UK food business

Call 03000 41 51 00 or email kss@kent.gov.uk if you are interested in accessing their services.

Allergen checklist for food businesses Includes guidance for kitchen staff, waiters and front of house, delivery orders and takeaway. 

•• Allergen and intolerance sign 

•• Allergen information for loose foods 

•• Chef’s recipe sheet for allergens 

FSA’s prepacked for direct sale (PPDS) food labelling webinar for UK food business