The Food Information (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2019 (known as “Natasha's Law”) came into effect from 1 October 2021 in England and Wales. This law requires all premises that sell food to provide full ingredient lists and allergen labelling on foods that are pre-packed for sale on their premises. This law requires all premises that sell food to provide full ingredient lists and allergen labelling on foods that are pre-packed for sale on their premises. The law seems to apply to all premises, including charities and Churches
Natasha’s Law applies to food that has been prepacked for sale, i.e. on the same site as it is offered to consumers and before the customer orders or selects it e.g. a sandwich. Food that is made to order and/or packaged/wrapped on request e.g. after it is chosen/selected by the consumer does not fall under the new legislation BUT care still needs to be made to inform people about allergens. Caution is necessary.
If we offer food prepared and packaged by others we need to ensure that it displays a full list of ingredients and any allergens labelling including nutritional information.
As a Church we want to look after people who suffer from food allergies and intolerances and keep them safe so it is vital anyone preparing and/or offering food on our premises understands what the 14 allergens that must be declared by current UK food laws are, and let people know what is in the food on offer to them.
Even if we don’t sell food, we need to take care that what we offer has the contents displayed and in particular that the allergens listed here are identified. This will affect Church events such as bazaars, afternoon teas and any other event where we offer food. We expect all other users of the premises, both regular and occasional, to have regard to the need to be cautious although the responsibility for complying with Natasha’s Law rests with them.
More information about Natasha's Law can be found on the UK Government website and on the Food Standard Agency website.
Hockley & Hawkwell Methodist Church Council agreed on 26th June 202 that guidelines about Natasha's Law, including a list of allergens would be displayed in the kitchen and drawn to the attention of all users and hirers of the premises. A summary list of allergens can be found on the Food Standard Agency website.
IT’S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TOO!
IF YOU HAVE AN ALLERGY PLEASE INFORM THE CHURCH CATERING TEAM OR THE CATERER FOR YOUR ACTIVITY OR EVENT