Owen's Law - Food Standards Agency

Owen’s Law proposes a step-change in allergen safety, requiring all foodservice businesses to provide written allergen information, not just verbal. Backed by the Food Standards Agency in the UK and driven by the tragic loss of Owen Carey, it's a pivotal move for consumer protection and essential for restaurants to understand.

Why the change?

Food Standards Agency

In 2024, Professor Susan Jebb, Chair of the Food Standards Agency, made a clear call for legal reform:

"I will write to ministers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The board would like to see them take this forward on a four-country basis.

In today’s discussions, it was clear that the board feel that we should set an expectation that food businesses like coffee shops and restaurants provide allergen information in writing as well as having a conversation. To maximise the likelihood of this happening, written information should be a legal requirement, rather than just guidance."

Owen's Story

Owen Carey tragically died in 2017 after being unknowingly served a meal containing dairy – an allergen he was severely allergic to. His family have since campaigned tirelessly for change.

"We, his family, are calling for a change in the law surrounding how allergy information is displayed and given in restaurants in the UK. We hope that a simple change in labelling and staff training will prevent any future needless deaths of people with food allergies."

https://owens-law.co.uk/

What the law required

If adopted, Owen’s Law will require:

• All foodservice businesses - including restaurants, cafés, takeaways, and coffee shops - to provide written allergen information for non-prepacked foods.
• Clear identification of any of the 14 legally regulated allergens.
• Written formats (menus, signs, or digital platforms) must supplement verbal communication - verbal only will no longer be enough.

How Allergy Menu can help

Allergy Menu is designed to help your business meet these new legal expectations, and improve customer trust and safety.

Centrally Managed Allergen System

Manage all your allergen and ingredient data from one secure dashboard. Easily update ingredients, manage supplier information and ingredients, and allocate allergens per dish — all in one place.

Instant Communication with Customers

Generate a QR code for your menus, window, and website, allowing customers to view accurate, live allergen data instantly. Our system also works on in-house tablets, so staff can provide up-to-date allergen information directly at the table, or let customers manage their own searches.

Interactive Digital Menus

Once your allergen data is loaded, you get access to a searchable digital menu, complete with filters, icons, and clear allergen visibility. Your venue is also listed on our Allergy Menu map, helping allergy-aware customers find you.

Supports Staff & Customer Safety

Our system is designed to reduce communication risks between front-of-house teams, kitchen staff, and diners. Everyone has access to consistent, accurate information.

How Allergy Menu Works

Changing your matrix to a digital version enables you to do so much more.

Updatable

It's easy to keep up to date, as you can easily change it at a moment's notice via your mobile phone.

Searchable

Easy to find the allergies in a dish by a simple search.

Communicate

You can easily communicate your allergy data to your customers and staff.

Accountable

Only the right person in your organisation can control this data, ensuring safety.

Reduce Risk

You can reduce the risk of deadly mistakes being made with your allergy data.