Dining Out with Allergies in 2025: What Owen’s Law is Pushing For

Campaigners want written allergen information on menus. Until that’s law, allergy sufferers can still take steps to reduce risk when eating out.

Who this helps: People with food allergies and their families eating in restaurants, cafés or takeaways.

Legislate to reduce risk

Key takeaways

• Ask for written allergen info — don’t rely on memory.

• Start the allergy conversation early (at booking and on arrival).

• Choose venues with trained staff and transparent menus.

  
  

What is Owen’s Law?

A campaign calling for allergen info in writing on menus, sparked by tragic deaths from allergic reactions. It aims to remove reliance on verbal assurances.

Practical steps

• Call ahead and ask about allergen management.

• Check menus in writing, not just verbally.

• Opt for simple dishes with fewer ingredients.

• Double-check before eating — suppliers and recipes can change.

  
  

Red flags: No written info, or staff saying “we can’t guarantee anything” without explanation.

When to seek help:At the first sign of anaphylaxis, use your adrenaline auto-injector and call 999.

References

• Trade Interchange (2025) What is Owen’s Law and how will it affect the food industry? Available at: https://tradeinterchange.com/blog/owens-law-food-industry/

• Libereat (2024) FSA backing Owen’s Law proposals. Available at: https://libereat.com/2024/03/fsa-recap-2023/