Written allergen information
The ask
A legal duty on restaurants, cafes and takeaways to provide allergen information in writing, at the point of ordering, without the customer having to ask
England, Wales & NI
Written allergen information is FSA best practice since February 2025, but not yet law; review due September 2026
Scotland
Food Standards Scotland consulted on stronger written information in early 2026; a decision is awaited
Owen’s Law is the campaign for a legal requirement that restaurants, cafes and takeaways give customers allergen information in writing. This page sets out where it came from, what it asks for, and where it stands in the UK today. It is for general information and is not legal advice.
Owen Carey died in 2017, aged 18, after eating a grilled chicken burger at a burger restaurant in London. He had told staff about his dairy allergy. The chicken had been marinated in buttermilk, and this was not written on the menu. He had a fatal anaphylactic reaction.
“Owen’s Law” is the campaign started by Owen’s family. It calls for a legal requirement that restaurants, cafes and takeaways provide written allergen information for the food they prepare (non-prepacked food), at the point of ordering the food, without the customer having to ask about allergens.
Under current food information regulations across all UK nations, businesses selling non-prepacked food must make allergen information for the 14 regulated allergens available to customers - but it may currently be provided either in writing or verbally, provided customers are clearly signposted to where they can get it.
This is different from Natasha’s Law, in force since October 2021, which requires full ingredient labelling on food that is prepacked for direct sale. Natasha’s Law does not cover food prepared to order, which is the gap Owen’s Law is aimed at.
On 13 December 2023 the Food Standards Agency Board agreed that it would like to see written allergen information mandated in the non-prepacked sector, and that it would write to Ministers. The FSA said it was backing the Owen’s Law campaign.
The FSA later published best-practice guidance on allergen information for non-prepacked foods on 24 February 2025 (updated 5 March 2025), applying to England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It says allergen information should be easily available in writing and underpinned by a conversation between staff and customer, and that businesses should ask all customers whether they have allergen requirements, or display prominent signage inviting customers to say so. Following the guidance is not legally required. Its next scheduled review date is September 2026.
Scotland is regulated separately by Food Standards Scotland (FSS). FSS ran a 12-week public consultation from 23 February 2026 to 17 May 2026 on how written allergen and ingredient information for non-prepacked food - restaurants, cafes, takeaways, bakeries and butchers - could be strengthened, made more consistent and more accessible, including views on ingredient information beyond the 14 regulated allergens.
Stephen Hendry, FSS Head of Labelling and Standards, said: “We want everyone in Scotland to have confidence when eating out or buying food that isn’t prepacked. For people with food allergies or intolerances, clear and reliable information is essential, not just for convenience, but for safety.” The outcome of the consultation had not been announced as of this page’s review date.
As of 13 September 2026, written allergen information is not yet a legal requirement anywhere in the UK. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland it is FSA best practice, due for review in September 2026. In Scotland, FSS has consulted on strengthening the rules and a decision is awaited. No legislative timetable has been announced by any UK government.
Mint gives venues a way to provide written allergen information at the point of ordering - the customer scans a QR code and sees the venue’s own allergen data for every dish, with a reminder on every menu to speak to staff. This supports the “written information underpinned by a conversation” approach in the FSA guidance.
Mint does not make a venue compliant by itself - venues remain responsible for the accuracy of their allergen information and for meeting the law that applies to them. See how Mint works for venues and UK food allergy statistics.
Nothing on this page is legal advice. Food businesses should check the requirements that apply to them with their local authority or a qualified adviser.
Photos: Andrea Piacquadio and Amar Preciado (Pexels).