UK Allergen Labelling: What's Changing in 2026

Natasha's Law itself hasn't been rewritten, but three developments are shaping where UK allergen policy is heading through 2026. None of them change your PPDS obligations today, but they signal what's coming.

1. Precautionary labelling is under active review

"May contain" statements are still voluntary and unstandardised in the UK. Allergen related recalls have continued at a meaningful rate since Natasha's Law came into force, and the FSA has accelerated its review of whether precautionary labelling needs a legal threshold and a consistent format. This mirrors moves already underway in parts of the EU.

2. Owen's Law is gaining ground

Owen's Law would make written allergen information a legal requirement on restaurant and menu items at the point of ordering, replacing the current option to give allergen details verbally. It has cross-party support and backing from the FSA Board. The government began a formal evaluation of voluntary uptake in spring 2026, to decide whether to legislate. If your business already provides written allergen information at ordering, you're ahead of any future requirement.

3. Benedict's Law is becoming statutory

Benedict's Law focuses on allergy safety in schools, including allergy management policies and adrenaline auto-injector availability. It's expected to become statutory guidance from September 2026, which matters if you supply food into education settings.

What this means for your labelling plans

None of these three changes are law yet. But the direction is consistent: more written information, more consistency in how it's presented, and less reliance on verbal disclosure. If you're setting up label templates or ordering systems now, building in written allergen information as standard, even where it isn't strictly required today, puts you ahead of where the rules are clearly heading rather than reacting once they land.