Dear Parents,
The Food Information Amendment, also known as Natasha’s Law, is coming into effect from the 1st October 2021. It places a responsibility on all food businesses to provide a full list of ingredients and allergen labelling on all food packaging for direct sale. The purpose of this letter is to advice you of lFG’s commitment to be fully compliant with this new law in time for 1st October 2021.
IFG have always embraced our responsibilities in the identification of allergens and have rigorous procedures in place. We continually work with our suppliers to ensure that the allergen information we hold for our raw ingredients are as accurate as possible. All our recipes have been tried and tested by our food development cheds who, by using approved buying lists, can make sure that our recipes are made to exact specifications and standards.
In order to adapt to Natasha’s Law, we have reviewed our labelling systems so that we can be confident that the information on our labels is accurate. The foods that are affected are those that we pre-pack and place within our fridges and counters, including sandwiches, baguettes, salad boxes, pasta pots. and dessert pots. From October 2021, they will have a full label, that clearly identifies the food item. There will then be a complete list of ingredients and the allergens will be highlighted using a bold font within the ingredients list as shown in the example below:
We are delighted that the new labels will make it easier for people with food allergies to make fast, informed and safe food choices from our prepacked food. This new labelling system should not detract from the importance of notifying your schools of any pupils with food allergy needs, and communicating these through to our Executive Chef/Catering Manager on site. Please note that there is a separate allergen diet process to be completed for primary school pupils. If you have a child in primary school requiring an allergen diet please ask your school for details of how to make a request
I hope you have found this informative and that it provides you with confidence that IFG have the procedures and systems in place to provide you with accurate allergen information for the foods we serve whilst fully satisfying the requirements of Natasha’s Law.
Kind regards
Clare Hanna | Group Health & Safety Manager