Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that food labelling provides sufficient information for individuals with (a) sensitivities and (b) adverse reactions.

The fundamental principle of food labelling rules is that information provided to the consumer must not mislead and must enable the safe use of food. The United Kingdom maintains high standards on the information that is provided on food labels, so that consumers can have confidence in the food they buy. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is responsible for food safety and food hygiene in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, including food allergen labelling.

All food businesses are under a legal obligation to provide information on the presence of the 14 major allergens in food, so that people who have allergies and intolerances are able to make safe food choices. The 14 allergens must be emphasised within the ingredients list of prepacked food or drink. This can be done, for example, by using bold, italic, or coloured type, to make the allergen ingredients easier to spot. Following the introduction of changes to allergen labelling rules in 2021, also known as Natasha's Law, these rules also apply to foods and drinks that are prepacked for direct sale food. For non-prepacked foods, such as those sold in restaurants, businesses must also provide allergen information and ensure it is accurate and accessible.

To further help consumers make safe and informed choices, food businesses may voluntarily provide information about the unintentional presence of allergens. This is called precautionary allergen labelling and is often seen on food labels as “may contain” statements.

The FSA carries out a range of research to ensure that this information is clear and accurate. In 2023, the FSA updated the food labelling technical guidance for businesses following a consultation with consumers and food businesses on the application and understanding of allergen labelling.