Public invited to comment on proposed updates to food laws

Food businesses in Jersey are being invited to give their views on proposed changes to the island’s food laws, which aim to modernise standards and improve public safety.

Environment Minister Steve Luce has put forward draft regulations that would introduce compulsory allergen labelling, a licensing system for food businesses and updated hygiene requirements designed to mirror those in the UK and European Union.

The proposed Draft Food (Jersey) Regulations 202– are now being examined by the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel, which will assess whether the measures are appropriate and effective.

Panel chair Deputy Hilary Jeune said it was essential that the reforms did not have unintended impacts on food businesses, charities or the wider economy.

She acknowledged that updating allergen labelling rules was necessary to bring Jersey in line with modern food practices, but said there were still unanswered questions about how the licensing system would operate.

Under the plans, food businesses would be required to apply for an annual licence and would be classified as low, medium or high risk depending on the type of food they handle, how it is prepared and the customers they serve.

Licence fees would vary according to risk level, although officials have indicated that some organisations may qualify for exemptions in certain circumstances.

Deputy Jeune said the panel was seeking greater clarity on which organisations would need to be licensed and how the risk categories would be defined.

She added that the proposals must strike the right balance between protecting public health and avoiding unnecessary confusion over who falls within the scope of the regulations.

The new rules would apply to all food-related operations, whether commercial or not-for-profit, and to both public and private bodies involved at any stage of food production or sale.

A public consultation is now open, with the deadline for responses set for 30 January.