Pret a Manger spends £20m on food safety following allergy death 

Pret a Manger has spent £20million on a food safety overhaul following the death of a teenager who ate one of its baguettes.

Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, 15, died in 2016 after suffering an allergic reaction to sesame seeds that were not listed as an ingredient in her sandwich, which she bought from a Pret store at Heathrow Airport, prompting ministers to put in place stricter standards.

Pret has introduced full labelling, showing every ingredient and allergens such as gluten, soya and dairy, ahead of rules – dubbed ‘Natasha’s Law’ – that will come into force next year.

The group has also changed recipes to remove allergens completely from many products, for example taking hazelnuts out of its chocolate croissants. 

Chief executive Pano Christou said there would be an ongoing £10million annual cost from the changes but it had been partially funded by price increases.