Food venues required to comply with new food safety standards

From next week, businesses in Jersey producing and selling food will have to tighter safety rules designed to protect consumers.

The Environment Department has been working on legislation to bring Jersey in line with other jurisdictions when it comes to safe food practices.

Minister Steve Luce says there is constant anxiety for people with allergies and their families and friends.

"We need to ensure that people living with food allergies in Jersey have the same protection and that no one dies here from an allergic food reaction.

"Food safety is a cornerstone of public confidence.

"We must not forget what is at stake if food safety standards are not upheld.

"When islanders and visitors sit down to eat, they should do so without fear.

"Imagine a parent in Jersey who cannot take their child to a cafe without the fear of an allergic reaction.

"Our current laws leave gaps that put lives at risk; these regulations close those gaps."

The new regulations require allergens to be clearly labelled on pre-packaged food items, with full ingredient lists for non-packaged foods.

There will also be expectations for better food hygiene standards and staff training.

It is believed that this will also make the island more appealing for tourists with food allergies, as there will be fewer risks involved in coming to Jersey.

There are exceptions to the regulations, where food labelling is not necessary, which include:

• Cakes made for a school/community fête or charity cake sale by home bakers,
• Food prepared at home for a cultural celebration (e.g. Lunar New Year),
• Food being prepared for a wake by family members,
• Christmas or Liberation Day celebratory parish meals for senior parishioners are held at the 
  parish/community hall,
• The annual Royal Square Soup Kitchen,
• Barbeque and events for youth organisations, i.e. Scout Clubs,
• Sports team coach providing homemade sandwiches and/or orange segments after a 
  match,
• Volunteers providing coffee, tea and biscuits to members after an event,
• School children providing their own ingredients for a cookery class, to take home and eat,
• A colleague is bringing in homemade treats to share at work.

Under these circumstances, it is expected that the food should be safe to eat, and anyone making the food or serving it should be 'strongly encouraged' to follow food hygiene and safety.

A Food Allergy Convention was held in Jersey in 2024, and was attended by the Environment Minister, who spoke to the parents of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse.

READ: Parents of teenage girl who died from food allergies to address first CI conference

She was 15-years-old when she died on a plane to France in 2016 after suffering a reaction to sesame in a 'grab-and-go' baguette.

'Natasha's Law' was introduced in the UK in October 2021, which requires full ingredient and allergen labelling on all foods that are pre-packaged.

Deputy Steve Luce told the States Assembly that speaking with her parents left a lasting impression on him.

"These draft regulations represent a significant step forward in modernising Jersey's food safety framework, aligning it with best practice in the UK and EU, while addressing long-standing gaps in our current legislation.

"They provide clear enforceable requirements for allergen labelling, hygiene standards and licensing, ensuring that consumers can make informed choices and that food businesses operate to consistent high standards.

"By adopting these regulations, we will not only reduce risk but also strengthen customer confidence, enhance Jersey's reputation as a safe and attractive destination, and provide a transparent, proportional framework for enforcement.

"This is an opportunity to future-proof our food laws and demonstrate our commitment to health, safety and quality for all."

The new food safety regulations will take effect in a week's time, although the Minister accepted a scrutiny recommendation to delay the expected 1 October introduction of a new registration and inspection scheme amid uncertainty about who the rules apply to, and the cost.

Attempt to delay food business licensing scheme