Eating out with a food allergy? You’re entitled to allergen information in restaurants UK-wide: loose food must come with details of the 14 major allergens, and food packaged on site needs a full label.
For wider tips on planning a meal out, see our food and dining guide.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| PPDS labelling rules changed across the UK | From 1 October 2021 |
| Common name for the PPDS rules | Natasha’s Law |
| Major allergens that must be covered | 14 |
| What a PPDS label must show | Name of the food and a full ingredients list |
| Loose (non-prepacked) food | No label, but allergen information must be provided |
| Ways to emphasise allergens on a label | Bold type, capital letters, contrasting colours or underlined text |
These figures come from the GOV.UK guidance page for mobile sellers and street food vendors, updated 17 July 2026. Rules can change, so check the source before you rely on them.
What the law asks of UK food businesses
As of the GOV.UK guidance updated 17 July 2026, the labelling rules for prepacked for direct sale (PPDS) food changed across the UK from 1 October 2021. They are also known as Natasha’s Law. The guidance says they apply to any food business that produces PPDS food.
There are really two situations to understand. Food that is packaged before you order it needs a printed label. Food that is loose when you order it needs allergen information given another way.
- Packaged on site before you choose it: a label with the food’s name and a full ingredients list.
- Loose or made to order: no label, but the business must give you information on the major allergens.
- Packaged by another business: a label with a name, ingredients list, allergens and other mandatory details.
What counts as prepacked for direct sale?
The guidance defines PPDS food as food packaged at the same place it is offered or sold to consumers. It is a single item, made up of the food and its packaging, that is ready for presentation before it is ordered or selected.
It can include food you pick up yourself from a display unit, products kept behind a counter, or some food sold at mobile or temporary outlets. If a business packages food at a different location from where it sells it, the guidance says that is still PPDS food.
The guidance gives examples aimed at mobile sellers and street food vendors, but they show the principle clearly. These count as PPDS:
- Meals put in containers before they are ordered.
- Packaged sandwiches or salad boxes.
- Burgers wrapped and ready to sell.
- Cartons of chips or chicken nuggets placed under a hot lamp ahead of an expected lunchtime rush.
The line is drawn at the moment of packaging. Food made to order, or put into packaging at your request, is not PPDS. The guidance lists hot drinks made to order, unpackaged cakes and pastries in a glass display, and chips placed into packaging at the time of order as examples.
Loose food: how allergen information is given
Loose food does not need a label, but the guidance says it must meet the requirements for providing allergen information. That means the business must provide information on the 14 major allergens to customers, as set out in the GOV.UK guidance.
Businesses have some choice in how they share it. The guidance says they can give information orally or by displaying it on a menu, chalkboard or notice. For PPDS food, this comes in addition to the label, not instead of it.
In practice, that means you may be told by a member of staff, or you may find it written down. Either way is acceptable under the guidance, so it helps to know which route a venue uses before you order.
What a PPDS label must show
A PPDS label needs the name of the food and a full ingredients list. Any of the 14 allergens used in the product must be emphasised within that list, as required by food law.
The guidance says emphasis can be added in several ways. It must be clear enough for you to read.
- Bold type
- Capital letters
- Contrasting colours
- Underlined text
The separate GOV.UK labelling guide for PPDS food covers further details, including type size and precautionary allergen labelling such as “may contain”. Businesses may design the label differently, as long as they meet the legal requirements.
Tips for eating out with an allergy
The rules set a baseline, but the best protection is a clear conversation. Tell the person taking your order about your allergy before you choose, and ask them to confirm the dish rather than assuming.
If you are picking up packaged food, read the ingredients list and look for the emphasised allergens. If food is loose, ask how the venue shares its allergen information. Our guide to dietary requirements when eating out goes further on asking for what you need.
Once your order is sorted, you can think about the rest of the evening, including how much to tip in UK restaurants.
Frequently asked questions
Does loose food need an allergen label?
Show answer
No. According to the GOV.UK guidance updated 17 July 2026, loose food does not require a label. It must still meet the requirements for providing allergen information on the 14 major allergens.
What is Natasha’s Law?
Show answer
It is the common name for the PPDS labelling rules that changed across the UK from 1 October 2021. They apply to food businesses that produce PPDS food.
Can a business tell me about allergens out loud?
Show answer
Yes, for food that is not PPDS. The guidance says businesses can give allergen information orally or on a menu, chalkboard or notice, but PPDS food still needs its label as well.
Does food packaged by another business need a label?
Show answer
Yes. The guidance says it is not PPDS food, but it still requires a label with a name, ingredients list, allergens and other mandatory details.
