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The Channel Islands’ first ever Food Allergy Conference is set to be held in Jersey later this year in an effort to improve the lives of those impacted by food allergies amid ongoing delays in new legislation.
The conference is due to be held on Monday 18 November at Banjo restaurant in St Helier, and will be hosted by the Jersey Food Allergy Group.
The group was established last year by sufferers of severe food allergies and parents of children with life-threatening allergies, organised the event in response to growing concerns over the increasing prevalence of allergies, and the significant challenges faced by local patients and their families.
???????????? Living in Jersey with food allergies or intolerances? ????????????
— JerseyFoodAllergyGroup (@JerseyAllergy) September 12, 2023
Join the Jersey Food Allergy Group to share experiences and make food shopping & dining safer. We're also pushing for better food allergy regulations.
Let's unite & make a difference#JerseyFoodAllergySupport
The conference hopes to highlight ongoing concerns around the the slow progress made on plans to update Jersey's Food Law with comprehensive allergen labels.
In 2022, the Government said that legislation setting out requirements for allergen labelling for hospitality businesses and other food providers would be brought forward by the end of the year.
But two years later, no concrete progress has been made.
The Food Allergy Conference aims to raise public awareness, highlight the latest research, and propose strategies to improve the lives of those affected by food allergies in the island, while also contributing to debate around policy formation and legislation surrounding food allergies in Jersey.
Pictured: Jersey still lacks the dedicated food labelling and allergen legislation that would help reduce risks for local sufferers and their families.
In a statement announcing the conference, the Jersey Food Allergy Group said: "The latest research indicates that around 6% of UK adults have a food allergy, with food allergy cases almost doubling over the last two decades.
"Despite this, and despite high-profile fatal food allergy cases in the UK, Jersey still lacks the dedicated food labelling and allergen legislation that would help reduce risks for local sufferers and their families."
The conference will bring together medical professionals, charitable organisations, industry experts, and food allergy advocates.
Topics will range from the latest advancements in allergy treatment, prevention strategies, and psychological support for patients and families, to practical solutions for businesses and schools to accommodate those with food allergies.
Pictured: One local allergy sufferer will share their story of being hospitalised due to mistaken exposure to allergens at the conference.
The agenda also includes sessions on food safety regulations in the UK, Ireland, and the EU, and the growing role of hospitality in managing food allergy risks.
Members of the Jersey Food Allergy Group will share their experiences of what it is like living in the island with food allergies – including one story of being hospitalised due to mistaken exposure to allergens.
Dominic Jones and Neva Richardson, co-founders of the Jersey Food Allergy Group who have young children with severe food allergies, said: “Jersey is so behind the UK in terms of regulations around food labelling and allergen information, which can make the island a really difficult place for food allergy sufferers to live safely.
“We’re hopeful that this conference will help to highlight the issue of food allergies in Jersey; the practical, economic and social implications of allergies; the need for regulation so those with allergies can buy foods, drinks, and dine out safely; and will contribute to positive change for local allergy sufferers and their families.”
The Food Allergy Conference will take place on Monday 18 November from 08:30 - 15:00 at Banjo, 8 Beresford Street, St Helier.
You can reserve a space via Eventbrite. Tickets are free of charge, but are limited, so those wishing to attend are encouraged to register early.
The event is primarily targeted at healthcare professionals, policy makers, educators, food service providers, trade bodies, and food allergy advocates in Jersey, but all are welcome to attend.
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