Food allergy law saving lives, say teen's parents

Natasha Ednan-Laperouse died after eating a sandwich containing sesame, which was not listed on the ingredients

The parents of a teenager who died from an allergic reaction after eating a pre-packed baguette have said their daughter would be "very proud" of how a change in the law is saving lives.

Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, 15, from Fulham, west London, suffered a severe allergic reaction to sesame baked into the Pret A Manger sandwich in July 2016.

Sesame was not listed as an ingredient on the packaging, and the seeds were not visible to the naked eye.

Four years ago to the day, Natasha's Law was introduced requiring food outlets to provide a full ingredients list and allergy labelling for foods made and packaged on the premises for direct sale, following a campaign by Tanya and Nadim Ednan-Laperouse.

'World of difference'

The couple, founders of the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, said the law was making a difference.

The charity has called 1 October Natasha's Day - a time to celebrate the teenager's "legacy of change".

Her parents said in a statement: "Natasha's Law gives greater protection to the millions of people in the UK living with food allergies, allowing them to buy food and eat out with greater confidence.

"Everyone should be able to consume food safely.

"Natasha would be very proud of the ongoing impact Natasha's Law has on the lives of people with food allergies."

Nadim and Tanya Ednan-Laperouse launched the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation charity as a result of their daughter's death

The charity shared stories from people who have been helped by the law change, including Kitty Clark, 21, who is allergic to eggs, dairy products and kiwi fruit.

She said the changes had made a "world of difference".

"The first time I noticed Natasha's Law had come into effect was when I picked up a box of sushi and noticed that the ingredients were printed on the back.

"Something that would go unnoticed to most but for me this meant I didn't have to explain my food allergies to a tired member of staff, check if the food was safe to eat and wonder each time I bought it whether the recipe had changed.

"Seeing the ingredients printed gave me confidence.

"Natasha's Law changed my relationship with eating food out entirely."

Jayden Poole, 17, who has an allergy to milk, said her mother would previously not allow her to eat anything from a bakery or sandwich shop because labels "couldn't be relied on".

"When we went out for the day as a family, we would always have to take a packed lunch for me so we could be sure the food was safe for me to eat.

"Since the introduction of Natasha's Law, things are much easier. Sandwich shops and bakeries are an option for me now and printed allergy information always makes me feel much safer than relying on staff."

Jessie Flaum, 22, has life-threatening allergies to eggs, nuts, seeds, chocolate, buckwheat, kiwi and dairy.

She said: "For me, food has never been simple. Something that most people take for granted - grabbing a snack, eating with friends, going to a cafe - has always felt like stepping into danger.

"Even the tiniest trace, the smallest cross-contamination, could send me into a severe, life-threatening reaction.

"Clear and honest labelling means I no longer live with the constant fear that the packaged food is hiding something dangerous."