Scrutiny launches survey into impact of Draft Food Regulations
Scrutiny
14 January 2026
The Environment, Housing, and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel (the ‘Panel’) is reviewing the Draft Food (Jersey) Regulations 202- in order to assess their suitability and effectiveness. The Minister for the Environment has lodged the Regulations to modernise Jersey’s food laws and strengthen consumer and public health protections. The Regulations will apply to food businesses, whether for profit or not, public or private, that carry out activities at any stage of food production including selling. There is a provision that some food activities which are occasional, small-scale and very low risk will not be subject to these Regulations, with assessments to be undertaken by the Infrastructure & Environment Department where necessary.
The Regulations propose:
- mandatory allergen labelling
- a licensing scheme for food businesses
- updated food hygiene rules to align with the UK and EU
- Food businesses will be required to hold an annual licence.
- Businesses will be categorised into low, medium, or high risk, based on food type, handling, and customer base.
- Fees will be charged according to risk level, noting that the Minister intends to bring forward a more detailed fee proposal under the new Government.
- Some organisations may be exempt from fees in certain cases.
The Environment, Housing & Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel would like to hear from all food businesses and organisations that operate food services on the proposals. The Panel has prepared a short, anonymised survey to gather these views: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/GB67WT/. Please note that the survey will close on 30th January.
Deputy Hilary Jeune, Chair of the Panel, said: ‘The Draft Food Regulations are, without doubt, a necessity to bring Jersey up to date with modern practices of labelling food for allergens. However, it’s important to ensure that all the changes, including the proposed licensing scheme and accompanying fee structure, do not cause any unintended consequences for food businesses, charities and ultimately the wider economy.
‘As a Panel we still do not have clarity on who will need to be licenced and the definitions of low, medium, and high risk. This needs to be proportionate in protecting public health and we will be questioning the Minister further to ensure that the public are not confused as to whether they come under the scope of these Regulations.’
View the Review webpage.
