Imagine you’ve just served a delicious meal to a regular customer, only to watch them break out in hives – not exactly the five-star review you were hoping for. Food allergies are serious business, and with Owen’s Law on the horizon, allergen management should be topping your to-do list this year.

So what’s Owen’s Law? In short, it’s a set of regulations aimed at making allergen information crystal clear for everyone who walks through your doors (or orders online). It aims to build on the same principle as Natasha's Law: but this time focusing on non-prepacked food served in restaurants and cafes. The key difference is that Owen’s Law calls for allergen information to be provided in writing, not just verbally, making it easier for customers to make safe and informed choices.

We know small and medium businesses have plenty on their plate already – pun intended – but allergen transparency is one thing you don’t want to put on the back burner. This guide will help you tackle the 14 Allergens List, prep your team, and get your menus in top allergen-friendly shape.

Who needs to comply with Owen’s Law?

If you serve non-prepackaged food – be it a cozy café, bustling bistro, pop-up stall, or high-end restaurant – you’re on the list for Owen’s Law.

Worried about the extra work? Fear not. Being transparent with your customers actually boosts trust and can lead to glowing reviews and is super easy with Edible’s menu builder. You’ll need to:

• Highlight allergens on menus or display boards

• Train staff to understand and communicate allergen info

• Keep your menu info updated – because “oops, we changed that” isn’t an excuse!

Think of this as an opportunity to polish your customer service. Show your patrons that you care – and spare yourself the headache of non-compliance fees or legal drama down the line.

How to get started with the FSA best practice guidelines

Consult the guidelines

We’ve broken down The Food Standards Agency Best Practice Guidance (March 2025) here. It breaks down how to:

• Identify each allergen in your recipes

• Label menus with clear symbols or statements

• Communicate with customers so everyone’s on the same page

We also prepared a guide to written allergen information to make labelling for customer-facing menus less daunting.

Train your team

Your staff are the frontline heroes in allergen management. Give them the knowledge they need to:

• Recognize the 14 allergens

• Communicate confidently with customers and colleagues

• Avoid cross-contamination (separate utensils, dedicated prep areas)

Frequent refreshers or mini-quizzes can keep allergen awareness at its peak. After all, new dishes appear, menus change, and staff turnover happens – so keep training regular and fun with this guide to allergen training.

Foster a safety-first culture

To really nail allergen safety, everyone in your establishment should be on board. Clearly label ingredients in your storage areas, use colour-coded tools, and encourage an open dialogue – so staff aren’t afraid to say, “Wait, that dish might have sesame seeds.”

Don’t forget takeaways

In any size of kitchen, cross-contamination can occur – think shared chopping boards or using the same fryer for shrimp and chips. And because even trace amounts of allergens can cause severe (sometimes life-threatening) reactions, clearly marking them on your menus is the law’s primary goal. For a step-by-step look at distance-selling rules and smart labelling, see our guide to takeaway menus.

By proactively identifying and labeling allergens, you protect customers and your reputation. No one wants to be that business in the headlines for an allergen-related mishap.

Final thoughts

The countdown to Owen’s Law is ticking, but there’s no need to panic. By labeling the 14 allergens clearly, training your staff, and fine-tuning your menus (both in-house and online), you’ll be ready for the 2025 changes – and probably earn some loyal, allergy-conscious customers along the way.

Allergen transparency might sound daunting, but it’s also a golden opportunity to showcase just how much you care about your customers. Consult our menu template guide, explore the FSA guidelines, and if you need an extra hand, tools like Edible’s free menu builder app can help you keep all that info neat and tidy.

Bottom line: start now, stay cool, and you’ll ace the new regulations – making your business safer, more trusted, and maybe even the talk of the town (for all the right reasons).