The Environment Secretary Michael Gove
is considering a new law on food labelling after the death of a teenager who
suffered an allergic reaction to a Pret a Manger sandwich.
He has instructed civil servants to
investigate a law change after 15-year-old Natasha Ednan-Laperouse’s death
after eating an artichoke, olive and tapenade baguette on a flight in July
2016. Natasha was on her way with her father and best friend to a holiday in
France when she bought the sandwich at Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 5.
The coroner at her inquest said she
died of anaphylaxis after eating the Pret sandwich containing sesame, which
Natasha was allergic to. Under the current UK law, non-pre-packaged foods don’t
have to a have a specific allergen label attached to food.
Her father has claimed that she died
because of “inadequate food labelling laws” and called for a change in the law
in order to save lives in the future.
Michael Gove told ITV News that the
family is “absolutely right” to say the law needs to be changed, and added: “I
think their case is compelling and we need to act quickly in order to ensure
that we have the best possible protection in place.”
Asked if it should be named ‘Natasha’s
Law’, he replied: “I think it would be an immensely fitting and appropriate
tribute to recognise the campaigning work of Natasha’s parents and to recognise
that this tragic loss which has broken their hearts.”
Natasha’s father, Mr Ednan-Laperouse
has vowed to get “justice” so that “no-one else should suffer such a needless
and pointless death”.
Pret's CEO Clive Schlee said that the food
chain was “deeply sorry” after Coroner Dr Sean Cummings recorded a narrative
conclusion at West London Coroner’s Court on Friday. Mr Schlee said the firm
wants to see “meaningful change” come from the tragedy.
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