Understanding allergy alerts and allergen labelling
The 14 allergens UK labels must show, what an allergy alert means, Natasha's Law for pre-packed food, and how to stay on top of alerts.
An allergy alert means a food contains an allergen that is missing from the label or labelled incorrectly. For most people the food is safe. For someone with that allergy it can be life-threatening. Here is how allergen labelling works and how to use alerts.
The 14 allergens
UK law requires 14 allergens to be declared on food labels and, for loose food, made available to customers. They are:
- celery
- cereals containing gluten, such as wheat, rye, barley and oats
- crustaceans, such as prawns and crabs
- eggs
- fish
- lupin
- milk
- molluscs, such as mussels and oysters
- mustard
- tree nuts, such as almonds, hazelnuts and walnuts
- peanuts
- sesame
- soya
- sulphur dioxide and sulphites above a set level
On pre-packed food, these must be highlighted in the ingredients list, usually in bold.
Natasha’s Law
Since October 2021, food that is pre-packed for direct sale, such as sandwiches made and wrapped on the premises, must carry a full ingredients list with allergens highlighted. The rule is known as Natasha’s Law, after Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, who died after an allergic reaction to a baguette that did not list sesame.
“May contain” warnings
Phrases such as “may contain nuts” are voluntary precautionary labels. They warn of a risk of cross-contamination in the factory. An allergy alert is different: it means the allergen is actually in the product but is not declared properly.
What to do when you see an alert
- Check the product name, pack size and batch details against what you have at home.
- If anyone in your household has that allergy, do not eat it.
- Return it to the shop for a refund, or follow the instructions in the notice.
Staying on top of alerts
If you or your child has a food allergy, it is worth getting alerts by email. You can sign up for free alerts or browse all allergy alerts. Our allergen pages also group alerts by allergen, so you can see every recent alert for milk or peanuts, for example.
More guides
- How to report an unsafe product in the UK
- Register your appliances so you hear about safety recalls
- Buying safely from online marketplaces
- E-bike and e-scooter battery safety
This guide is general information, not legal or medical advice. Always follow the official notice for a specific recall. Read our editorial policy or see all guides.