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Natasha’s Law was introduced on 1st October 2021 following a high-profile campaign by Tanya and Nadim Ednan-Laperouse OBEs after their daughter Natasha died aged 15 from a severe allergic reaction to sesame seeds hidden in a baguette sandwich. Sesame wasn’t listed as an ingredient on the packaging, and the seeds were not visible to the naked eye.

At her inquest in 2018, the coroner stated that if there had been allergen information on the baguette, Natasha would not have eaten it and she would be alive today. Natasha’s death was entirely preventable – it should never have happened.

Following the inquest Nadim and Tanya successfully campaigned for Natasha’s Law, landmark legislation that has transformed food labelling, providing millions of people with food allergies greater transparency and the confidence that the foods they buy are safe to eat.

It means all foods made and packaged on the premises for direct sale (PPDS) - such as sandwiches, salads and cakes – must display full ingredient and allergen labelling.

Earlier this year Tanya and Nadhim were announced as LACA ambassadors to champion allergen safety in schools. Together they will work with LACA to raise awareness, educate school communities and further equip school caterers with the tools, training and confidence needed to create allergen-safe meals for all pupils.

Tanya and Nadim Ednan-Laperouse OBEs founders of Natasha’s Foundation the UK’s food allergy charity, said: “Natasha’s Law gives greater protection to the millions of people in the UK living with food allergies, allowing them to buy food and eat out with greater confidence. Everyone should be able to consume food safely. Natasha would be very proud of the ongoing impact Natasha’s Law has on the lives of people with food allergies.”

Each year, 1st October is Natasha’s Day – a time to celebrate Natasha's legacy of change. Here are four stories that show the impact Natasha’s Law has had on the lives of people living with food allergies.

Kitty Clark, 21, is allergic to eggs, dairy and kiwi fruit

Before Natasha’s Law came into force, she was always worried about the ingredients in the food she ate. Full ingredients labelling required by Natasha’s Law, now means she has confidence in the food she eats. 

She said: “Natasha’s Law has changed my life in so many ways. In ways that are seemingly insignificant to most people, but to someone with severe food allergies, these changes make the world of difference. 

“The first time I noticed Natasha’s Law had come into effect was when I picked up a box of sushi and noticed that the ingredients were printed on the back. Something that would go unnoticed to most but, for me, this meant I didn’t have to explain my food allergies to a tired member of staff, check if the food was safe to eat and wonder each time I bought it whether the recipe had changed.

“Seeing the ingredients printed gave me confidence. Natasha’s Law changed my relationship with eating food out entirely. It has also led to a shift in attitude towards food allergies. Now when I bring up my food allergies in cafes, or to servers, or to new colleagues or new friends, their reactions are no longer one of confusion, but of understanding and awareness. 

“Natasha’s Law has improved the lives of people with food allergies immeasurably, and most likely saved some too. I am enormously grateful for the difference it has made to my life. I hope to see the cultural shift it began, continue to develop and grow, making the world a safer and more understanding place for people like me living with food allergies.”

Jayden Poole, 17, who has an allergy to milk, was just 13 when Natasha’s Law was introduced

Before it came into force, his family avoided bakeries and sandwich shops because food labels couldn’t be trusted. Today, Jayden feels safer, freer, and able to live more spontaneously thanks to clear and transparent labelling.

Jayden said: “Natasha's Law has changed things for me in a big way. Before Natasha’s Law was introduced, my mum would not let me eat anything from bakeries and sandwich shops because the labelling couldn't be relied on. When we went out for the day as a family, we would always have to take a packed lunch for me so we could be sure the food was safe for me to eat.

“Since the introduction of Natasha's Law, things are much easier. Sandwich shops and bakeries are an option for me now and printed allergy information always makes me feel much safer than relying on staff. I can be much more spontaneous and have more freedom to live a normal life safely – I don’t need to plan what I eat in advance, carry food with me at all times, or go home early because I need to eat. Natasha’s Law is fantastic and has made such a big difference to me and my life. Thank you.”

Elia Hughes whose son Eddie, 17, has milk, cashew and pistachio allergies

She said: “My son Eddie, who lives with multiple food allergies, was just eight years old when Natasha died. Before the change in the law, navigating food outside the home was always difficult and often unsafe. The change Natasha’s Law brought was seismic. Restaurants, coffee shops, schools, universities, work canteens and other food outlets began to review their processes to comply with the new requirements. 

“The eating out experiences improved, which meant that Eddie, and so many like him, could enjoy eating out more safely and not miss out on important social experiences. I am so grateful to Tanya and Nadim, and to everyone working towards a safer world for people with allergies.”

Jessie Flaum, 22, has life-threatening allergies to eggs, all nuts, all seeds, chocolate, buckwheat, kiwi, and dairy

Jessie commented: “I have faced anaphylaxis more times than I can count, and there have been moments where, without my EpiPen and the people around me acting fast, I would not be here today. Those moments have left me knowing just how fragile my safety really is. For me, food has never been simple.

“Something that most people take for granted, grabbing a snack, eating with friends, going to a café, has always felt like stepping into danger. Even the tiniest trace, the smallest cross-contamination, could send me into a severe, life-threatening reaction. I have grown up feeling that every single piece of food I eat could end up giving me a life-threatening reaction. 

“Before Natasha’s Law, eating out was not just difficult, it was almost impossible. Menus were vague, packaging rarely gave me the information I needed, and too often I was met with confused stares when I asked staff about ingredients.

“I felt like a burden, like I was being ‘awkward’ or ‘annoying’ when in reality I was just trying to stay alive. The constant fear, the isolation and the embarrassment of having to interrogate every meal was completely exhausting. While my friends enjoyed food freely, I felt excluded and unequal, trapped by my allergies in a way that most people could never understand.

“Since Natasha’s Law came into force, something has changed. For the first time, I feel a little more protected, a little more equal. Clear and honest labelling means I no longer live with the constant fear that the packaged food is hiding something dangerous. It has lifted some of the crushing anxiety and given me a small taste of the freedom others have always had.

“Natasha’s Law is more than a policy, it is a lifeline and a huge step into a safer and more equal world for people with allergies. It means the struggles people like me face every single day are finally being seen. It gives me hope that the world can become safer, kinder, and more equal. A world where no one has to live with the same fear and isolation that has followed me for so long.”