01 August 2025
Islanders are invited to review and have their say on proposed secondary legislation under the
Food Law, through a 10-week public consultation.
The proposed legislation aims to protect the public health of Islanders and visitors, ensuring that
food sold, prepared and packaged in Jersey meets internationally recognised requirements,
bringing Jersey in line with standards already in place in the UK and EU.
The secondary legislation focuses on three main areas:
- New licensing scheme for food businesses
- Food standards (including labelling and food allergens)
- Food hygiene and safety.
Feedback gathered from the consultation will help to finalise the secondary legislation, which will
then be presented to the States Assembly in early 2026.
If the secondary legislation is approved, the Food (Jersey) Law 2023 which was passed by the States
in December 2022 can take effect. As the primary law has already been approved, the focus of this
consultation is on the secondary legislation.
The labelling and food allergens area of the legislation introduces modern evidence-based
requirements, following regulations in the EU and Natasha’s Law in the UK. The aim is to improve
the information provided to consumers about food allergens present in food settings so that
consumers can make safer, more informed choices.
Additionally, updated licensing arrangements are proposed which would be carried out on a risk-based framework, categorising food businesses based on the level of risk their activities potentially
pose to customers. This approach would mean licensing fees more accurately reflect the time and
resources spent by officers in inspecting and supporting food premises.
The closing date of the consultation is Thursday 9 October 2025.
See the draft legislation and consultation survey here: Food (Jersey) Regulations 202-.
The Minister for the Environment, Deputy Steve Luce, said: “The Food (Jersey) Law 2023 is about
improving food safety and consumer protection in Jersey. This proposed secondary legislation, if
approved, will allow this law to come into force and will be a crucial step to ensuring Jersey’s food
system is aligned with international standards.
“The law has been designed with proportionality in mind, and I want to reassure those with
concerns that it is not intended to target occasional activities, like charity cake sales for example.
This is ensuring high standards of food hygiene, safety and standards at every stage of the food
chain – from the primary producer to the end consumer. Many food businesses are already making
great efforts to do this, and the legislation will help ensure that everyone can enjoy food safely.
“I encourage Islanders, food businesses, and stakeholders to review the proposed legislation and
share your thoughts. Your feedback will help inform the final legislation which will be brought to
the States Assembly for approval early next year.”
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