Local bakery hit by EU allergen rules as Allister says even tray bakes are now ‘in the firing line’

Tray bakes – a staple of local bakeries across Northern Ireland – have become the latest focus of criticism over the continued application of EU law in the region, according to North Antrim MP Jim Allister.

In a statement issued this week, the Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) leader said that a bakery in his constituency has been forced to relabel its tray bakes to comply with EU allergen requirements that go beyond those required under UK law.

Mr Allister said the situation underlined what he described as the growing reach of EU regulation into everyday life in Northern Ireland, even where goods are produced and sold exclusively within the region.

“The tightening of the EU noose is manifesting itself every day, even to the point where tray bakes are in the firing line,” he said.

The MP explained that the bakery involved sells only to local customers and does not export its products to the Republic of Ireland. Despite this, it has been required to list allergens “which are not required to be cited by U.K. law, but are by EU law”.

According to Mr Allister, the additional labelling requirements have imposed unnecessary costs on a small local business already operating under financial pressure.

“The bakery sells only locally. None of its produce goes to the Republic, yet, because NI is subject to the oppression of EU law - laws we don’t make and can’t change - the bakery, absurdly, is being put to the extra expense of fresh labelling,” he said.

The North Antrim MP said he had raised concerns directly with the local Environmental Health department, accusing it of overzealous enforcement.

“I have, of course, complained to the local Environmental Health department as to its needless zealotry in imposing such rules,” he said.

However, he added that responsibility ultimately lies with the wider constitutional and regulatory framework governing Northern Ireland’s post-Brexit arrangements.

“But the cause lies in the effrontery of this part of the United Kingdom being subject, colony like, to foreign EU jurisdiction,” he said.

While acknowledging that the issue of tray bake labelling may appear minor in isolation, Mr Allister argued that it serves as a clear example of what he sees as a deeper democratic problem.

“At one level this is a small matter, but it is illustrative of a much larger assault on our right to be ruled by UK, not EU, laws.”

For local bakeries and food producers, the issue highlights the practical impact of regulatory divergence, with small businesses required to navigate complex rules despite operating solely within Northern Ireland.

For critics of the current arrangements, it is further evidence, they argue, that EU law continues to shape everyday commercial life in the region.