Food Production Business - Advice needed

[JLammy]

I am currently wanting to start up a business which involves the production of ready to eat food. It's a very niche market as it's targeted to the oriental market, but I do have some asian supermarkets wanting to take the product on.

I however have a few problems which are current blockers for me to even start-up the business:

1) Business units with a kitchen for food production: They are insanely expensive in London. What other options do I have? My house is a definitely "no" as I have 4 large dogs running around the house...

2) Food packaging labels: What exactly is required? And I'm assuming I'll need to send the product to be tested?

I believe I need to register my business with the local authority, and tread very carefully when it comes to food hygiene etc. Could anyone give me any advice on this too?

Any help is very highly appreciated, so thank you in advance.

[21TonyK]

The FSA website tells you all you need to know in terms of regulation, labelling etc And yes you need to register with your local council who will inspect the premises you use.

From a practical perspective have you considered renting an existing kitchen? Plenty of production kitchens available overnight.

In terms of food safety you will also need

http://www.cieh.org/training/cieh-level-3-award-in...

I'd suggest you start by talking to your local environmental health about your plans and they will tell you what they want to see.

It seems like a lot of regulation but in reality it's not and if you don't have any previous experience it is absolutely essential you understand what you are doing.

Edited by 21TonyK on Friday 15th April 07:00

[russy01]

JLammy said:

1) Business units with a kitchen for food production: They are insanely expensive in London. What other options do I have?

A property not in London.

[insurance_jon]

outsourcing food production till you get enough traction to afford the other option

[insurance_jon]

found this, is it any use?

http://www.kitchup.co.uk/

[JLammy]

Thanks for all of the advice so far.

I'll begin to initiate conversations with the local authority first and see how I get on.

Kitchup's kitchens aren't really cheap though. An eye watering £400+ a week... I'll continue searching around. I guess I only really need it for a few hours a day, and then everything goes into storage in the fridge, ready for distribution.

[21TonyK]

£400 a week is very cheap for a kitchen even my end of the country. Maybe if you signed a contract 6 months+ then you would expect it a little bit less but even then you would be lucky.

Best bet is to find a local restaurant/takeaway/pub etc that you can rent overnight or as suggested contract to a third party.

From what you say the end product is refrigerated and batch produced in small quantities. That might need some careful planning and thought.

Edited by 21TonyK on Friday 15th April 21:32