PPDS and Natasha’s Law

PPDS means prepacked for direct sale. The rules came in on 1 October 2021 across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland under the Food Information (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2019, known as Natasha’s Law after Natasha Ednan-Laperouse. Qualifying food must be labelled with the name of the food and a full ingredients list, with the 14 major allergens emphasised — bold, capitals, underlining or a contrasting colour.

Whether it applies to you turns on when the packaging happens. Food packed before the customer orders it, at the same place it is sold, is PPDS: the wrapped sandwiches on the counter, the chilled salad boxes in the fridge. Food made to order, sold loose, or put into packaging after the customer has chosen it is not PPDS — which is why most hot takeaway orders fall outside it even though allergen information still has to be available.

The Food Standards Agency publishes the criteria in guidance rather than in the legislation itself, with sector guides for bakeries, takeaways and schools. Guidance is not binding, but enforcement officers work from it, so it is the practical test.