Government criticised for allergy law delay

Neva Richardson, here with her son Malin, has warned that "somebody could die" if allergies are not taken more seriously

Jersey's government is under pressure to protect people with allergies after plans for a food labelling law were delayed.

Neva Richardson, whose two-year-old son Malin has a dairy allergy, said legislation was essential to protect people.

She said: "Every time somebody in Jersey consumes a produce that potentially has their allergen in it, that can cause a life-threatening reaction and somebody could die."

Environment Minister Deputy Steve Luce said a dedicated team was working on the laws with the aim of getting them ratified by the States of Jersey in 2025.

'Children at more risk'

Ms Richardson said she was also concerned that "school-age children in Jersey are at more significant risk than their counterparts in the UK."

She said: "Children who we have yet to discover if they have an allergic response to any foods, they are more at risk than children in the UK in schools.

"There is currently no way that anyone can legally administer a life-saving dose of adrenalin if they have an allergic reaction.

"That could be to a food or if they were to have a wasp or bee sting."

Ms Richardson has helped organise a Food Allergy Conference, which is being held in Jersey on 18 November.

She said it had been organised to give government "a clear picture of legislation differences between the UK and Jersey and better practices that could be implemented easily across the island".

Lisa Creevy says dealing with her nut allergy is a "constant struggle"

Lisa Creevy has a nut allergy and said it was a "constant struggle" to deal with.

She said: "It's not only the fear of eating something and being hospitalised, but it's the constant 'What if?' if I don't trust what someone has told me, if I don't trust the labelling of a packet.

"It is something that affects me more and more every single day."

She said it was disappointing that Jersey had not introduced a law and thinks people did not understand how serious allergic reactions could be.

Deputy Luce said he was "committed to bringing the legislation forward".

He said: "It's taking a little bit longer than I would like... but I will bring it forward next year.

"We would all like it sooner but I have got a number of pressures I am having to balance. But the important thing here is... I will have something for the States Assembly in 2025."

While no local figures are available, about 6% of people in the UK are estimated to have a clinically confirmed food allergy.