Select a region
The parents of a teenager who died from a severe food allergy have announced that they will join a campaign to ensure people living in Guernsey and Jersey have the same protections that are in place elsewhere.
Tanya and Nadim Ednan-Laperouse’s daughter Natasha died from a severe allergic reaction in 2016 after eating a baguette which did not have a label warning that there were sesame seeds in the dough.
After the inquest ruled her death was entirely preventable, they successfully campaigned for Natasha's Law in the UK to end a food labelling loophole and now want that gap in legislation closed in the Channel Islands too.
"Being such close neighbours, we believe legislation around food labelling should be in sync with the UK. Jersey and Guernsey should adopt Natasha's Law and other food allergy regulations to bring them in line with standards in the UK without delay, to give islanders greater transparency about the foods they buy and eat," they said.
They will address the first ever Food Allergy Conference in Jersey on Monday, announcing a collaboration with The Jersey Food Allergy Group and make a commitment to campaign on behalf of islanders living with food allergies.
"We are delighted to have agreed with The Jersey Food Allergy Group that we will take the lead in campaigning for legislative change in Jersey. We hope to also extend our work to Guernsey. Working together, we want to improve the lives of people with food allergies in the Channel Islands, and help to keep them safe."
Currently there is no legislation or guidance in Guernsey to require food businesses to disclose allergens on menus or food labels or to provide information in any format.
Environmental Health is reviewing the need for change and will report to Health & Social Care on their findings before the end of the year.
How this all impacts those with food allergies and the choices they make when eating out is also the focus of a new study in Guernsey which is encouraging people to share their experiences to help inform any changes that may be needed.
The research on the local situation is being undertaken by Dr Vicky Carre, GP and Allergy Lead at Healthcare Group.
If you have a food allergy, a food intolerance or coeliac disease, or you are the carer of a child with one of these conditions, you can take part in the survey by clicking HERE.
The Food Allergy Conference will bring together world-leading medical professionals, charitable organisations, industry experts, food allergy advocates, and those with lived experience.
100 participants have already signed up to attend, the strong interest causing it to be moved to a larger venue, the Assembly Room, St Helier Town Hall.
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.
To reserve a space, sign up via Eventbrite. Tickets are free, but are limited.
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.