Understanding UK allergen labelling is a practical survival skill for anyone managing a food allergy. Since Natasha's Law came into force in October 2021, pre-packaged food for direct sale in the UK must carry a full ingredient list with allergens highlighted. Knowing how to read that label correctly can be the difference between safe eating and an allergic reaction.
The Natasha's Law Requirement
Under Natasha's Law (Food Information Amendment 2021), any food pre-packaged for direct sale — sandwiches, salads, snack pots, lunch boxes — must carry a complete ingredient list. Within that ingredient list, each of the 14 mandatory allergens must be emphasised, typically by appearing in bold type. This applies to any food packaged before the point of sale and sold directly to the consumer — which includes most corporate catering individual portions.
Reading the Ingredients List
Ingredients are listed in descending order by weight — the heaviest ingredient first. Find the ingredient that contains your allergen. Under Natasha's Law, it should appear in bold within the full ingredient list. For example, a sandwich label might list: "Bread (wheat flour, water, yeast, salt), chicken, mayonnaise (eggs, sunflower oil, vinegar, mustard), lettuce."
The bold type indicates a mandatory allergen is present. You need to check the full ingredient list — not just a separate allergen box — because allergens appear within compound ingredients and may be listed within brackets or sub-ingredients.
May Contain Warnings
"May contain [allergen]" or "made in a facility that also processes [allergen]" are voluntary advisory statements indicating cross-contamination risk from shared production facilities. These are not legally required and their use is inconsistent across manufacturers. For severe allergies, these warnings should generally be treated as positive — the manufacturer has identified a cross-contamination risk worth disclosing.
When Labels Are Absent or Unclear
If a food item does not carry a full ingredient label with allergens highlighted, it is not compliant with Natasha's Law (for pre-packaged food for direct sale). For loose food — food served from a hot counter, a buffet, or food not individually packaged — allergen information must be available on request under the Food Information Regulations 2014.
Digital Allergen Information
Some food businesses provide allergen information via QR codes linking to digital menus or allergen matrices. These are acceptable for loose food but should not substitute for physical labels on pre-packaged individual portions. If the QR code is the only allergen information provided on an individually packaged item, this may not meet Natasha's Law requirements.
Vanda's Kitchen Labelling
Every Vanda's Kitchen product carries a complete Natasha's Law compliant label: full ingredient list with all 14 mandatory allergens highlighted in bold. Our 100% nut-free kitchen eliminates peanut and tree nut cross-contamination risk at source. WhatsApp us or read our allergy-friendly catering guide for more on our allergen management approach.
Safe Food From Vanda Kitchen EC4
Vanda Kitchen near St Paul Cathedral EC4 is 100 percent nut-free, certified halal (Halal Friendly List), 5-star hygiene rated, with full Natasha Law allergen labelling on every item. Selfridges Food Hall quality. One caterer, all allergen requirements covered, full documentation available on request. For London offices where allergen management is a genuine requirement, we provide the kitchen standards and credentials that responsible procurement demands. WhatsApp us, send an enquiry, or view our team lunch options. Read our allergy-friendly catering guide and our nut-free catering guide for more detail on our approach.
Why Vanda Kitchen Is the Right Choice
For City of London professionals and offices managing food allergies, Vanda Kitchen provides the most comprehensive single-source allergen-safe solution available. Our 100 percent nut-free kitchen, independently certified halal status, 5-star food hygiene rating, and Selfridges Food Hall quality represent a credentials profile that is genuinely rare in London corporate catering. Fresh Filipino-inspired food prepared daily. Individual Freedom Tray portions with full allergen labelling. Flexible standing orders with direct WhatsApp management. Same-day response to all enquiries. WhatsApp us to discuss your requirements or send an enquiry.
About Vanda Kitchen
Vanda Kitchen is an independent food business based near St Paul Cathedral in EC4, with products stocked in Selfridges Food Hall. Our kitchen is 100 percent nut-free — no peanuts or tree nuts ever enter our facility. We are certified halal by the Halal Friendly List. We hold a 5-star food hygiene rating. Every item carries full ingredient and allergen labelling covering all 14 mandatory UK allergens. This combination of credentials makes us uniquely placed to serve London businesses with complex dietary requirements — from daily office lunch to event catering.
Our food is freshly prepared daily from our EC4 kitchen, rooted in Filipino culinary tradition: lean proteins, fresh vegetables, complex carbohydrates, and the bold natural flavours that make our food genuinely enjoyable rather than merely functional. Our Selfridges Food Hall placement confirms the quality standard we maintain. For City of London professionals who want a safe, delicious, and nutritionally excellent daily lunch, and for offices that want the same for their teams, Vanda Kitchen provides the answer. WhatsApp us, send an enquiry, or view our team lunch options to get started.