Delay to new food allergy labelling laws

Jersey's Environment Minister Steve Luce said the legislation was now expected to come in next year

New laws for labelling potential allergens on food products have been delayed, Jersey's environment minister said.

Deputy Steve Luce said, in a response to a written question sent to him by Deputy Catherine Curtis, the departure of specialist staff has delayed work on the Food Law (Jersey) 2023.

The legislation would bring in stricter rules on how ingredients are labelled to help people with allergies.

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

Discussions with Jersey's Legislative Drafting Office - a set of legal professionals who help prepare new laws - about how to deliver the new law are expected to start soon, Mr Luce said.

He added most packaged food available in Jersey is imported from either the UK or EU and already included detailed ingredient and allergen lists.

Dominic Jones said Jersey needed new laws around food and allergy labelling

In December 2022, the States voted to update the island's Food Safety Law, which were described as "outdated and not fit for purpose in the 21st Century".

Dominic Jones, a founder member of the Jersey Food Allergy Group, said it was time for the island's laws to change and provide a safer environment.

Mr Jones - whose daughter has food allergies - said: "With proper regulations in place and a supportive community around, it is absolutely possible for those millions of people in the UK and thousands in Jersey to live safely.

"But we really need to move ahead here in the island and have something that is more fit for purpose and makes places more inclusive."