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23.09.12
13 Deputy C.D . Curtis of the Minister for the Environment regarding food allergy
legislation (OQ.171/2023)
Will the Minister clarify what work, if any, is currently being undertaken to bring forward food allergy legislation that aims to decrease the risk of anaphylaxis and other allergic reactions to Islanders?
Deputy J. Renouf of St. Brelade (The Minister for the Environment):
I thank the Deputy for that question which tackles an important issue that has been in the media recently. The simple answer is that environmental and consumer protection officers have commenced work on a programme of subordinate legislation under the Food Law that we passed in this Assembly earlier this year in February that is looking at current food information rules. But just to provide some clarification on the current situation, most of the packaged food available in Jersey is imported from the U.K. or European Union. This already provides an elevated level of consumer protection in this area through meeting mandatory E.U. (European Union) labelling requirements. Our domestic law also legislates against the misrepresentation of food, for example, claiming that a product is suitable for an allergic consumer when it is not. But of course we do need to go further and so, subject to consultation, proposed subordinate regulations will address gaps in current information legislation for domestically-produced food, including packaged food, food that is pre- packaged for direct sale, which is kind of the food that comes under Natasha’s Law, so-called Natasha’s Law in the U.K., and for information provision on menus.
[11:30]
5.13.1 Deputy C.D . Curtis :
Could the Minister explain when he may be publishing codes of practice for practical guidance for retailers; when this might come about?
Deputy J. Renouf :
The Food Law set in train a large quantity of subordinate legislation, which is currently being worked on. I have asked officers to make allergens a priority, the priority in fact in terms of the sequence of bringing forward that. The subordinate legislation will also be brought forward relating to codes of practice, imports and exports of food, food hygiene and so on; there is a whole list of these things. In terms of bringing forward specifically the rules on the regulations regarding allergens, labelling and so on, that is work, as I say, that has already begun. It is programmed to be completed next year.
The Bailiff :
Very well. Sorry, there is no further supplementals after the first supplemental if no other Member has asked a question. Deputy Southern , you are no long proceeding, I think, with question 14.
Deputy G.P. Southern : That is correct, yes.
The Bailiff :
Thank you very much indeed.