Food Businesses Must Meet New Safety Standards

Food businesses across Jersey will soon be required to follow tighter safety regulations aimed at improving protection for consumers, particularly those living with food allergies.

The new rules, developed by the Government’s Environment Department, are intended to bring the island in line with food safety standards used in other jurisdictions.

Environment Minister Deputy Steve Luce said stronger safeguards are needed to protect residents and visitors.

He said people with allergies often live with constant worry about what they eat, adding that Jersey must ensure they receive the same protections as those elsewhere.

“Food safety is fundamental to public confidence,” he said. “When people in Jersey sit down to eat, whether they are islanders or visitors, they should be able to do so without fear.”

Deputy Luce added that current legislation contains gaps that could put lives at risk and that the new regulations are designed to close those gaps.

Clearer allergen information

Under the updated rules, allergens will have to be clearly labelled on pre-packaged foods. Businesses selling food that is not pre-packaged will also need to provide full ingredient information so customers can make informed choices.

The regulations will also introduce higher expectations around food hygiene practices and staff training within food businesses.

Officials believe the changes could also help strengthen Jersey’s reputation as a safe destination for tourists, including those with food allergies.

Community events exempt

Some community and charitable activities will not be required to follow the labelling rules. These exemptions include food prepared by home bakers for charity cake sales or school fêtes, meals made for cultural celebrations, food prepared by families for wakes, and parish celebratory meals for senior residents.

Other examples include youth group barbecues, sports coaches providing homemade snacks after matches, volunteers serving tea and biscuits after community events, school cookery classes where pupils take food home, and colleagues sharing homemade treats at work.

Although labelling will not be required in these situations, organisers are still strongly encouraged to follow good food hygiene practices.

Inspired by allergy campaign

The move follows growing awareness of food allergy risks. In 2024, Jersey hosted a Food Allergy Convention attended by Deputy Luce, where he met the parents of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse.

The 15-year-old died in 2016 after suffering a severe allergic reaction to sesame contained in a pre-packaged baguette while travelling on a flight to France.

Her death led to the introduction of Natasha’s Law in the UK in 2021, requiring full ingredient and allergen labelling on pre-packed foods.

Deputy Luce said speaking with her parents had left a lasting impression and highlighted the importance of improving food safety laws.

Implementation

The new regulations will come into force next week. However, the minister has agreed to delay the planned launch of a separate registration and inspection scheme that had been due to begin on 1 October.

The delay follows scrutiny concerns about which businesses the scheme would apply to and how much it would cost.

Deputy Luce said the changes represent an important step in modernising Jersey’s food safety framework and ensuring the island keeps pace with best practice in the UK and Europe.