Natasha’s Law changed the information that must appear on food prepared and packed on the same premises before a customer selects it. It closes the gap between a verbal allergen conversation and the detailed label found on conventionally prepacked food.

What is prepacked for direct sale?

PPDS food is packaged before it is offered for sale, at the same premises where it is sold or from a site connected to that business. The customer chooses it while it is already fully or partly enclosed by packaging that cannot be altered without opening it.

01

Made there

The food is prepared by the business at the same premises, or at connected premises within the legal definition.

02

Packed before selection

The product is placed into its packaging before the customer chooses or orders that item.

03

Sold directly

It is offered by that business to the final consumer, rather than supplied as ordinary manufacturer-prepacked food.

What the label must show

  • The name of the food.
  • A full ingredients list in descending order by weight, subject to the detailed labelling rules.
  • Clear emphasis—such as bold type—where any of the 14 regulated allergens appear in the ingredients.
  • The specific cereal or regulated tree nut where the rules require it, rather than an unhelpfully broad description.

What it does not replace

A complete PPDS label does not answer every cross-contact question.

Natasha’s Law addresses intentionally used ingredients. Possible unintended allergen presence is a different issue. Businesses still need effective allergen controls, accurate precautionary information where justified and staff able to support customers.

Examples that may be PPDS

Depending on exactly how they are prepared, packed and sold, examples can include sandwiches placed in display cabinets, salads boxed before the lunchtime service, bakery products wrapped on site and fast-food items packaged before a customer chooses them.

Food packaged after a customer orders it is normally non-prepacked rather than PPDS. Food packed by a separate manufacturer is generally prepacked food and follows the wider prepacked labelling rules. The FSA provides a decision tool because small details of the sales process can change the category.

A quick customer check

  • Look for both the food name and the complete ingredients list.
  • Read the whole list, including ingredients that are not among the regulated 14.
  • Check that allergen emphasis is clear and specific.
  • Ask staff if the label is damaged, unclear or appears inconsistent with the product.
  • Report missing or misleading allergen information rather than accepting a guess.

Evidence base

Official sources