Prepare your food business for PPDS Allergen Labelling Changes

College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) in partnership with the Food Standards Agency, hosted an online event to help local food businesses prepare for the new law on allergen labelling which comes into effect 01 October 2021.

CAFRE and FSA hosted an online event aimed at NI Food businesses to discuss the changes to allergen labelling for pre packed for direct sale products.

The legislation, also known as ‘Natasha’s Law’, is being introduced following the tragic death of teenager Natasha Ednan-Laperouse from an allergic reaction caused by a prepacked baguette.

From 01 October, foods that are prepacked for direct sale (PPDS) - those which are produced and sold on the same premises but are packaged before being selected by the customer, for example, sausages being packed and put in a display in a butcher shop - will have to include the name of the food and the full ingredients list on the product label with any of the 14 key allergens, emphasised within that list.

Over 160 local food businesses and caterers attended the event on 12 August, where they learned of the background and context of the labelling changes, from the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation. A presentation from the Food Standards Agency explained what the changes mean for businesses, how to comply with the new rules and provided an overview of the guidance and support available to businesses. 

Local business, Cunningham Butchers in Kilkeel explained what the changes have meant to their business and why they chose to be ahead of the game when it comes to allergens. The event concluded with a live question and answer session with the panel being quizzed on the topic.

If you have any questions around PPDS and how it may impact your business visit the FSA’s PPDS hub. Here, a PPDS toolkit for food businesses and sector specific guidance provide an overview of the new rules.

To watch a recording of the event, please visit the CAFRE website. For any queries relating to the event, please contact Zita.McNaugher@daera-ni.gov.uk

Notes to editors: 

1. Examples of PPDS food:

• Sandwiches and bakery products which are packed on site before a consumer selects or orders them.
• Fast food packed before it is ordered, such as a burger under a hot lamp where the food cannot be altered without opening the packaging.
• Products which are pre-packaged on site ready for sale, such as pizzas, rotisserie chicken, salads and pasta pots.
• Burgers and sausages pre-packaged by a butcher on the premises ready for sale to consumers.
• Samples of cookies given to consumers for free which were packed on site.
• Foods packaged and then sold elsewhere by the same operator at a market stall or mobile site.
• PPDS food provided in schools, care homes or hospitals and other similar settings will also require labelling.

2. Further info is available on FSA's PPDS hub.
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