The father of a teenager who died from a fatal allergic reaction has renewed his push for a mandatory labeling mandate, urging the government to enact “Owen’s Law” before the ten-year anniversary of his son’s passing. Paul Carey has spent years campaigning for stricter food safety regulations following the 2017 death of his son, Owen, who unwittingly consumed dairy at a London restaurant. The proposed legislation aims to close gaps in current food safety requirements by making allergen disclosure a legal necessity for all dining establishments.
The tragedy occurred in April 2017, when Owen Carey was celebrating his 18th birthday at a Byron Burger outlet. Despite the student informing staff of his severe dairy allergy, he was served a chicken dish that had been marinated in buttermilk. The mistake led to a severe anaphylactic shock that claimed his life. In the years since, the restaurant chain has stated it has overhauled its allergen procedures, but campaigners argue that voluntary improvements are not enough to ensure public safety across the industry.
Central to the campaign is the demand that restaurants be legally required to list all allergens directly on their menus using symbols, words, or numbers. Paul Carey remains steadfast in his belief that this change is both necessary and achievable. Speaking to the BBC about the logistics of the change, Carey noted, “We’ve never met any chef or manager that said it can’t be done. It just has to be done.” This transparency would remove the guesswork for diners and provide a vital safety net for those with life-threatening sensitivities.
Beyond menu labeling, Owen’s Law seeks to fundamentally change the interaction between staff and customers. The legislation would mandate that servers initiate a conversation about allergies with every diner, ensuring that vital health information is communicated clearly before an order is placed. Furthermore, the law proposes the creation of a national register for anaphylaxis deaths to better track and analyze these tragedies, helping to inform future preventative measures and public health policies.
The movement recently gained significant momentum following a meeting between Paul Carey and the Minister for Food Security, Dame Angela Eagle. Following the discussion, Carey expressed a sense of cautious optimism regarding the government’s timeline. “We hope that will be the case,” Carey said, referring to the minister’s reported assurance that officials would move to “get it done as quickly as possible” to prevent similar heartbreaks in the future.
Dame Eagle confirmed her department’s dedication to the cause, stating she was “committed to making progress on this legislation to help prevent future tragedies of this nature.” Currently, the government is reviewing the effectiveness of existing best-practice guidance within the food industry. However, the Carey family and their supporters argue that “guidance” is insufficient, as it lacks the enforcement power of a statutory requirement that holds businesses accountable.
The push for Owen’s Law follows the successful implementation of “Natasha’s Law” in 2022, which requires full ingredient labeling on pre-packaged foods made on-site. That law was named for 15-year-old Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, who died after eating a baguette from Pret-a-Manger. By securing Owen’s Law, campaigners hope to extend these protections to the restaurant table, ensuring that no more families have to endure the loss of a child due to a preventable labeling error.
We urgently need similar laws enacted across all 50 US states. Consider supporting the Dine Allergy Safe Fund to continue the work started by Robyn and Addie Lao, who successfully enacted similar legislation for California.
