Food Manufacture - From Home

[SystemParanoia]

Hi guys,

Family member has come to me with an idea they want to pursue, but asked me if its legally allowed.

what they want to do is make salads and sandwiches and snacks etc to sell to local retailers on a sale or return basis.

ive heard of businesses that have started in their home kitchen and then grown into massive factories selling product nation wide etc.

im just asking, is this allowed, as long as he has basic food and hygiene certificate?

[covmutley]

i THINK you have to register the kitchen with the local authority, but there is no inspection or anything.

[SystemParanoia]

cool.

i guess ill send him down to the business link tomorow, get him to ask there... hopefully get a definitive awnser

[skwdenyer]

covmutley said:

i THINK you have to register the kitchen with the local authority, but there is no inspection or anything.

The kitchen must be registered with the local authority, they have the right to inspect, you must ensure the kitchen meets the required standards, and you'll need a food hygiene certificate. It is also likely that you would want to consider liability insurance.

When I say the kitchen must meet standards, in general that will mean, amongst other things:

• all cleanable surfaces
• sufficient prep space
• proper fridge segregation
• proper temperature monitoring of the fridge (just a thermometer)
• proper coloured boards
• separate handwash sink
• no animals allowed in the kitchen

Having looked at this recently, it is broadly impossible to get an open kitchen (i.e. one which does not close off as a completely separate room) to comply with the regulations. So a kitchen-diner won't work, nor will a studio flat, etc.

Because the kitchen is now a workplace, you also need to make sure it complies with all H&S legislation.

Now, I'm not saying that everybody complies. But if you don't comply, and if the LA do pop in, you're in trouble. Similarly, if somebody eats something that makes them ill, there will be an investigation. So investigate what the requirements are regarding record-keeping.

Lastly, in a non-dedicated kitchen, think very carefully about cross-contamination of foodstuffs. If you can't guarantee absolute segregation, then your foods will need to be labelled as being unsafe for a range of allergies / intolerances / reactions (nuts, gluten, etc.). Again, there is new legislation on this matter, so it will need looking up.

[fade2grey]

plus the food labeling regulations for the products..

funnily enough I was looking at this scenario this week too - not exactly clear is it lol

[StevieBee]

The food prep industry also produces a lot of waste (about a third of the food purchased for prep is waste - peelings, cores, etc) This will be more as your friend is looking at a sale or return offering. If they do run it on the quiet, they will need to think about the waste as it will be spotted by the bin men.

Doing it legit is not a problem as the LA will provide a separate commercial food waste collection service or point them in the direction of a proper carrier.

[V8mate]

skwdenyer said:

Because the kitchen is now a workplace, you also need to make sure it complies with all H&S legislation.

And your LA may well be interested in business rates too!
Also check that your property/street has no covenants regarding running a business from home.

[SystemParanoia]

Guys you have all been very VERY helpful!

Ill be printing this off to show my cousin in due course.

let him see the info and make an informed decision from that


once again, thank you all