Pret to list all ingredients on food after allergy death
HIGH street sandwich chain Pret a Manger has said that full ingredient labelling, including allergens, will appear on products after a teenager died from an allergic reaction to one of the chain’s baguettes.
Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, 15, from Fulham, south-west London, collapsed on board a flight in July 2016 after eating an artichoke, olive and tapenade baguette she had bought at a Pret outlet in Heathrow Airport.
The coroner at her inquest last week said she died of anaphylaxis after eating the Pret sandwich containing sesame, to which she was allergic.
Natasha’s father Nadim said she died because of inadequate food labelling laws and called for a change in the regulations to save lives.
Pret has announced that full ingredient labelling will be introduced to all products that are freshly made in its shop kitchens and labels will list all ingredients, including allergens.
The company said it will start trialling full ingredient labelling on product packaging from next month, adding that this will be rolled out to all UK shops as quickly as possible.
Clive Schlee, Pret chief executive, said: “I want to say again Pret a Manger is to introduce new labelling at its stores in Britain how deeply sorry we are for the loss of Natasha.
“I said we would learn from this tragedy and ensure meaningful changes happen.
“I hope these measures set us on course to drive change in the industry so people with allergies are as protected and informed as possible.
“Nothing is more to Pret right now.”
In a statement parents Nadim and Tanya said: “We cautiously welcome the decision by Pret a Manger, and we hope this will quickly lead to improved labelling across all their stores.
“Pret says it has recognised there is much more it can do, we important agree. We will be inviting them to meet with us to outline how we think they can contribute to genuinely meaningful change. We would like to thank the public and the media for all their ongoing incredible support.
Jill Paterson, of law firm Leigh Day which is representing the family, said: “The decision by Pret a Manger concerning labelling on all their products is to be welcomed but deeds mean more than words.
“We will be working closely with our clients to arrange a lasting legacy for Natasha, not just new legislation but also meaningful change for all people with allergies.”