Missing Food Allergy Labels Pose Serious Health Risk

Jersey Urged to Act on Food Allergy Labelling Amid Safety Fears

Campaigners have warned that inadequate food allergy labelling in Jersey is putting both residents and visitors at risk, as the government launches a consultation on long-overdue reforms.

Deputy Steve Luce, Jersey’s Environment Minister, has acknowledged the island is "way behind" other jurisdictions when it comes to food labelling laws. A 10-week public consultation has now been opened as part of efforts to modernise food safety legislation through a proposed new Food Law.

Currently, allergen labelling is not mandatory in Jersey — a situation described by campaigners as dangerous and out of step with consumer expectations, particularly among tourists who assume the island follows UK standards.

The proposed legislation includes the introduction of a licensing scheme for food businesses, as well as updated hygiene requirements. If approved, the changes could come into effect as early as next year.

“We’ve been waiting for this for a long time,” said Deputy Luce. “Food businesses have known this is coming and they welcome it. For the public, the most visible change will be clearly labelled food in shops and greater assurance around how food is prepared.”

A Matter of Life or Death

Neva Richardson, a member of the Jersey Food Allergy Group whose son has a dairy allergy, said the island had been waiting more than a decade for these reforms.

“Jersey is significantly behind most of the rest of the world,” she said. “Visitors often assume we operate under the same rules as the UK, but the reality is very different. That misunderstanding can be dangerous — even life-threatening — for people with allergies.”

Ms Richardson warned that for individuals with severe allergies, even trace amounts of allergens can trigger anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal reaction. “It may seem picky or fussy to some, but for others, it’s a matter of survival,” she added.

She also expressed concern that efforts to accommodate exemptions — such as for charity events or temporary food markets — could delay implementation of the new law.

“We need to strike a balance, but the priority must be public safety. The sooner this legislation is passed and adopted across the island, the sooner people with allergies will feel safer and more confident when eating out.”

The government has said it hopes the new regulations, if approved, will bring Jersey in line with international standards and provide better protection for vulnerable consumers.