The duo received their OBEs from the Duke of Cambridge during an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle.
Natasha’s Law, which came into effect from 1 October 2021, requires all food businesses to provide full ingredient lists and allergen labelling on foods pre-packaged for direct sale (PPDS) on the premises.
In the UK an estimated 7% of children suffer from a food allergy. While some reactions can be treated, some can be more severe or even fatal. Following Natasha’s death, Nadim and Tanya set up NARF (Natasha Allergy Research Foundation) to help people who suffer with food allergies.
Tanya Ednan-Laperouse told the PA news agency: “We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the fact that we lost our child, so it’s wonderful that we are here because this is a recognition of what we’ve done since we lost her.
“The driving force behind that was grief at first and it was hearing from so many people who were frightened – we were their worst scenario in their minds – and then also meeting and talking to many people who have also lost family members because of allergies. So these medals are for them, it’s not really for us.”
Nadim and Tanya Ednan-Laperouse were one of the keynote speakers at the 2021 LACA Main Event. They discussed the work of NARF and the role the school food sector needs to play in implementing Natasha’s Law.