Jersey food allergen law stalls despite warnings over risk to lives

There is still no date for an agreed food allergens law - which includes mandatory labelling - to take effect in Jersey.

The legislation was approved by the States Assembly in March, with politicians agreeing that current gaps were putting lives at risk. and that people living here with food allergies should have the same protections as those in the UK.

The law requires businesses producing and selling food to meet tighter safety rules designed to protect consumers.

However, the previous Environment Minister agrees to press pause on a planned introduction date of 1 October 2026 to give industry more time to understand the impact.

Read: Food venues required to comply with new food safety standards 

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

It would also require better food hygiene standards and staff training.

Nadim Laperouse, Founder of Natasha's foundation, which works to improve life for food-allergic people after his daughter Natasha died when she unknowingly bought a sandwich containing sesame, says 'there is a risk of someone dying' because the government hasn't 'pulled their socks up':

"Every month that passes by there is an increased risk of something going wrong; someone being hospitalised, or worse, dying."

He is urging Jersey's government to get on with making the law applicable and enforceable.

'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.

Mr Laperouse said:

"That was five years ago, and that's made a huge difference to millions of people who have food allergies because they can now walk into tens of thousands of cafes and food outlets in the UK and feel much safer because of the labelling that's now required.

He said the status quo is putting locals and visitors at risk:

"By coming over to Jersey, they are much more at risk of something going wrong around food allergy because Jersey hasn't levelled up with the mainland to give them the same protections around labelling laws."

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

A new commencement date for the legislation needs to be lodged by the Minister for Planning and Regulation, Senator Mark Boleat.