New Food Laws Introduce Licensing and Allergen Labelling Requirements

Jersey Government Launches Consultation on Food Safety Law Overhaul

The Jersey government has opened a public consultation on a proposed overhaul of the island’s food safety laws, aiming to align local regulations with UK and EU standards.

The planned reforms focus on three key areas: enhancing food labelling, reducing kitchen-based health risks (such as cross-contamination), and tightening business licensing requirements.

If adopted, the new licensing framework would grant authorities greater oversight and enforcement powers, particularly over food establishments that fail to meet safety standards.

Health and Transparency at the Core

Environment Minister Steve Luce said the proposals are about reinforcing public health protections and consumer trust in the island’s food system.

“We want to make sure that food on the market is safe to eat, accurately labelled, and handled hygienically throughout the supply chain,” Luce said.“This is about supporting consumer safety and promoting business accountability, but most importantly, it's about bringing Jersey’s food laws in line with those in the UK and EU.”

One major component of the update involves stricter allergen labelling, to ensure that individuals with food allergies can make informed and safe choices.

However, Luce stressed that labelling alone is not enough. He noted that compliance must also be enforced during food preparation to prevent harmful cross-contamination.