UK Natasha's Law Allergen Labelling Compliance Audit Checklist [FREE PDF]

Natasha's Law (Food Information (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2021) requires all pre-packed for direct sale (PPDS) foods to display a full ingredients list with 14 major allergens emphasised. Non-compliance can result in prosecution under the Food Safety Act 1990 and significant reputational damage. This audit checklist helps Food Safety Managers systematically verify allergen labelling accuracy, staff training, and documentation across all PPDS product lines.

• Industry: UK Restaurants
• Frequency: Monthly
• Estimated Time: 45-60 minutes
• Role: Food Safety Manager
• Total Items: 36
• Compliance: Food Information (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2021 (Natasha's Law), UK Food Safety Act 1990 Section 14-15, EU Retained Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on Food Information to Consumers, FSA Allergen Guidance for Food Businesses 2021, BS EN ISO 22000:2018 Clause 8.9 (Allergen Control)

PPDS Product Identification & Scope

Verify correct identification of all pre-packed for direct sale foods within the premises.

• Has the business prepared and maintained an up-to-date register of all PPDS products sold on site?
• Is the definition of PPDS clearly understood and applied correctly by the responsible manager?
• Are non-PPDS items (e.g. loose foods, pre-packed foods made elsewhere) correctly categorised and excluded from PPDS labelling requirements?
• Has the product register been reviewed and updated within the last 3 months?
• Are seasonal or temporary PPDS products included in the allergen register?

Label Content & Allergen Accuracy

Verify that each PPDS label contains all mandatory information with correct allergen emphasis.

• Does every PPDS product label display the product name?
• Does every PPDS product label include a full ingredients list in descending order of weight?
• Are all 14 major allergens emphasised (e.g. bold, italic, or different colour) within the ingredients list?
• Is a physical label sample available for inspection for each PPDS product on today's audit?
• Do label ingredients accurately reflect the current recipe or formulation in use today?
• Are 'may contain' precautionary allergen labelling statements used only where a genuine cross-contamination risk has been assessed?

Recipe & Ingredient Documentation

Assess the accuracy and accessibility of recipe documentation underpinning allergen labels.

• Does the business maintain a written recipe specification for every PPDS product sold?
• Are ingredient supplier specifications or data sheets held on file to verify allergen content of each ingredient?
• Is there a documented change control process to update recipes, labels, and allergen registers simultaneously?
• Are allergen matrices or allergen information sheets cross-referenced against current labels for accuracy?
• Please record any products identified with discrepancies between recipe documentation and label content:

Staff Training & Allergen Awareness

Evaluate the competency of staff handling PPDS products and responding to allergen queries.

• Have all staff involved in preparing, labelling, or selling PPDS foods received allergen awareness training?
• Are training records, including dates and content covered, documented and available for inspection?
• Can staff correctly identify the 14 major allergens when questioned?
• Is there a documented procedure for staff to follow when a customer declares an allergy or intolerance?
• Has allergen training been refreshed or reviewed within the last 12 months for all relevant staff?

Allergen Cross-Contamination Controls

Inspect physical and procedural controls to prevent allergen cross-contact during production and labelling.

• Are allergen-containing ingredients stored separately from non-allergen ingredients with clear labelling?
• Are dedicated or colour-coded utensils, equipment, or preparation surfaces used for allergen-free food preparation?
• Is there a documented cleaning procedure specifically addressing allergen removal between production runs?
• Are PPDS labels applied immediately after packaging to prevent mislabelling or label mix-up?
• Are records maintained of any allergen cross-contact incidents or near-misses in the last 12 months?

Label Production & Printing Controls

Verify that label generation, printing, and application processes maintain accuracy and version control.

• Is there a version control system in place for PPDS label templates to prevent use of outdated labels?
• Is the label printing process reviewed or signed off by a designated allergen-trained member of staff?
• Are printed labels checked against the approved allergen matrix before application to products?
• Are outdated or superseded label stocks removed and destroyed promptly when recipe changes occur?
• Please note the label printing method in use and any system limitations observed:

Non-Conformances & Corrective Actions

Record identified non-conformances and required corrective actions from this audit.

• Were any non-conformances with Natasha's Law labelling requirements identified during this audit?
• Have corrective action owners and target completion dates been assigned for all identified issues?
• Please detail all non-conformances identified, with product names and specific label deficiencies noted:
• Has this audit been shared with the Environmental Health Officer or local authority as required?
• Overall allergen labelling compliance rating for this inspection (1=Poor, 5=Excellent)?

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Why Use This UK Natasha's Law Allergen Labelling Compliance Audit Checklist [FREE PDF]?

This uk natasha's law allergen labelling compliance audit checklist [free pdf] helps uk restaurants teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for food safety manager professionals, this checklist covers 36 critical inspection points across 7 sections. Recommended frequency: monthly.

Ensures compliance with Food Information (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2021 (Natasha's Law), UK Food Safety Act 1990 Section 14-15, EU Retained Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on Food Information to Consumers, FSA Allergen Guidance for Food Businesses 2021, BS EN ISO 22000:2018 Clause 8.9 (Allergen Control). Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.

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