Re-use of jam jars for sale or giving away at Church events

The Food Standards Agency in Scotland has advised that they are not aware of any evidence of food safety concerns for consumers from cross-contamination by the re-use of glass jars.

They stress the need for good hygiene in cleaning the jars at adequate temperature and the preparation of the jam or chutney to be put in them. It is for local authority Environmental Health Officers to decide how to enforce regulations with respect to charities and similar organisations, but as far as the FSA is aware there has never been a prosecution for re-using jam jars since the regulations were introduced in 2004. The regulations need to be applied with common sense and good hygiene should be observed at all times.