Eight in 10 food business owners say they are unprepared for new safety legislation due to come into effect in October.

The legislation was put forward following the death of 15-year-old Natasha Ednan-Laperouse who suffered a fatal allergic reaction from a Pret A Manger sandwich in 2016.

Natasha’s Law will require food businesses to provide full ingredient lists and allergen information on pre-packaged food in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

However, research commissioned by global standards organisation GS1 UK, found that just a month before the legislation comes into effect, on October 1, 40 per cent of businesses have not even heard of it.

In independent businesses this figure rises to 48 per cent.

The analysis also showed that eight in 10 felt unprepared despite 90 per cent saying they have received plenty of information about the new law.

Henry Dimbleby MBE, author of the National Food Strategy, said: “Natasha’s Law represents a hugely positive, yet complex transformation for the food sector, one fraught with risk.

“It is worrying that the awareness of the changes is inconsistent, but not particularly surprising after everything the sector has had thrown at it over the last 18 months.

“It’s therefore fantastic to see a data solution that will help companies, particularly smaller companies, make the required changes while reducing both bureaucracy and the opportunities for error.”