‘Natasha’s law’ on food labelling to prevent allergy deaths
NEW food safety rules known as “Natasha’s law” are under urgent consideration by the Government following the death of a teenage girl who had an allergic reaction to sesame seeds in a Pret a Manger baguette.
Michael Gove has ordered a review of food safety standards after 15-year-old Natasha Ednan-laperouse died on a British Airways flight to Nice despite her father’s desperate efforts to save her. The Environment Secretary said that his “heart went out” to her family and pledged to act quickly to remove a loophole in EU legislation which means food made on site does not have to include details of 14 different allergens on the labelling. Mr Gove told ITV News: “We are already looking at how we can review labelling in order to keep people safe but this tragic case only underlines the importance of acting urgently.”
He said it would be an “immensely fitting” tribute to call it “Natasha’s law”.
Last night Miss Ednan-laperouse’s father, Nadim, told Channel 4 News he “welcomed” Mr Gove’s intervention. Clive Schlee, the chief executive of Pret a Manger, said he was “deeply sorry” for Natasha’s death.