Food Safety
Food Information Regulations
There are big changes to the information that food businesses must give to their customers.
In December 2014, the EU Food Information for Consumers Regulation (EU FIC) came into force. These European rules are enforced in the Isle of Man by the Food Information Regulations 2014 (FIR).
The new regulation requires:
- 14 specific allergens to be emphasised in the ingredients list of foods that are pre-packed.
- Information on these 14 allergens must be given if they are included in the ingredients or processing aids of non-packaged (loose) foods.
The primary purpose of the EU FIC is to enable consumers to make informed choices about the food they buy and eat.
Consumers will see changes in how allergens are presented on labels of pre-packed food and can also ask for information on any of the 14 allergens in non-packed food that they buy.
Cafes, restaurants and businesses selling loose food can communicate the information to customers in writing on menus, verbally through explanations by staff or signposted to where or how more information can be found.
Links to guidance leaflets for both businesses and consumers can be found on the right hand side of this page and further information can be obtained by contacting a member of the Environmental Health Unit on 685894 or e-mail ehenquiries@gov.im
The Food Business Register, has a list of all registered food related businesses on the Island.
Note: The "Think Allergy Loose Foods Poster" is also available in the following languages: Punjabi, Simple Chinese, Bengali & Urdu.
Food Safety legislation
The European Communities (Food Hygiene Laws) (Application) Order 2007 can be downloaded on this page. It applies provisions of 15 European Community (EC) Regulations to the Island which was approved at the July 2007 sitting of Tynwald.
All of the EC Regulations applied by the Order concern the hygiene of food and feedstuffs including original production, packaging, transport, presentation at the table and import or export. This legislation has been prepared not only to meet the Island's Protocol 3 requirements in terms of imports and exports, but also to ensure that the standards expected of Manx products are the same whether the product is intended for export or for the Manx consumer.
The EC legislation, by its very nature, is lengthy, highly technical and specifies to the smallest detail procedures to be followed and information obtained. However, in summary, 6 important changes to Manx law affecting anyone involved in the food business or related industry have been introduced:
- the requirement to train food handlers - Food Hygiene Training
- the requirement to have in place a food safety management system
- the requirement to register food premises - More information
- a change to temperature requirements
- a prohibition on the sale of raw milk and cream
- bringing those engaged in the farming or fishing industry within the scope of hygiene regulations for the first time (known as primary producers)
