Owen's Law: Father's Fight for Safer Menus

The father of a teenager who died from an allergic reaction is pushing for new menu labeling legislation, known as "Owen's Law," to be enacted. His 18-year-old son, Owen Carey, tragically passed away in April 2017 after consuming dairy at a London burger bar, despite informing staff of his severe allergy.

Owen's Law aims to make it a legal requirement for restaurants to clearly list allergens on their menus, potentially using symbols or numbers. The Minister for Food Security has stated a commitment to progressing this legislation, and the father expressed hope for its swift implementation. This initiative follows "Natasha's Law," which was implemented in 2022 and mandates ingredient lists on pre-packaged foods after a similar tragedy.

Proponents of "Owen's Law" believe it is a necessary step to prevent future fatalities. They highlight that implementing such labeling is feasible within the food industry and that the law would also include initiating allergy conversations with customers and establishing a national register for anaphylaxis deaths.