Baking from home with a pet???

[rebeccag313]

Hi,

I am hoping that someone can help me as I can't seem to get an answer!

I would like to start baking from home and selling the produce at local markets. Before I ask environmental health to come and inspect my kitchen, I was wondering if it will even be possible as I own a dog?

Does anyone know if you can bake from home if you have a pet?

Thanks in advance

 

[Scalloway]

The official rule is

The legislation, which makes the provisions relating to dogs in food premises is contained in Regulations (EC) No 852/2004, Annex II, Chapter IX – Provisions applicable to foodstuffs (4) as below:

Adequate procedures are to be in place to control pests. Adequate procedures are also to be in place to prevent domestic animals from having access to places where food is prepared, handled or stored (or, where the competent authority so permits in special cases, to prevent such access from resulting in contamination).

 

[rebeccag313]

Thank you for your reply!! I have a conservatory and a gate that separates the dog from my kitchen, do you think this will be adequate enough?

 

[Scalloway]

It is up to your local environmental health department but it sounds ok to me.

 

[rebeccag313]

Thanks so much. Just waiting for a phone call back from the council so fingers crossed!!

 

[fisicx]

So does this mean the dog lives in the conservatory? As to comply with the legislation the dog cannot ever enter the kitchen.

 

[Chris Ashdown]

They may want to inspect and make changes as a semi commercial kitchen, like easily wife clean surfaces on walls and units, separate fridges for different types of foods,

You will definitely require insurance incase you hospitalise someone with a nut or other allergy or find a band id in their cake

 

[Toby Willows]

They may want to inspect and make changes as a semi commercial kitchen, like easily wife clean surfaces on walls and units, separate fridges for different types of foods,

You will definitely require insurance incase you hospitalise someone with a nut or other allergy or find a band id in their cake

Never had you down as a sexist, in our house we share cleaning duties.

 

[rebeccag313]

He has the run of the house but can be separated from the kitchen when necessary. I just find it hard to believe that you cannot operate a food business from your home if you have a dog or a pet??

 

[rebeccag313]

....does anyone currently run a baking business from home? If so what are the requirements in your kitchen? I keep reading different things...you need two sinks? 2 freezers??

 

[paulears]

The legislation and systems are in place, but you are forgetting the purpose. You can have the animal in the separate area, and demonstrate this to the inspecting authority. The real question of course is to do with why the rule exists. If the dog is in that area, the negative elements of dog ownership - hair, poo, wee, bacteria, and their other less than lovely habits may not remain in that area and could be transferred to the food prep area. It's up to you to ensure that the food you prepare is hygienically prepared. So the authorities will want some separation of facilities. If you had to wipe up mess the dog produced, where would you get the water? The same sink as you use for the food prep? The fridge - do you pat the dog, then open the fridge and look for something? Could you transfer biomaterial to the commercial products? Having the dog separated doesn't mean cross contamination can't happen. The inspectors are also quite aware how clever dogs are, perhaps having them themselves - so your assurance the dog NEVER gets into the kitchen might make them smile.

 

[rebeccag313]

I see your point...obviously the dog does go into the kitchen, but like you say it is my responsibility to ensure that there is no cross contamination.

 

[Mr D]

Basically you don't want the animal on the food prep surface - cats on the worktop or table perhaps.
Ideally keep the animal out of the food prep area as much as possible, dog shakes himself and pet hair can go all over.
And of course clean work area.

I use an old plastic tray to prep on - wipe down, stores easily and can go in the sink. Different trays for different products.

 

[fisicx]

He has the run of the house but can be separated from the kitchen when necessary. I just find it hard to believe that you cannot operate a food business from your home if you have a dog or a pet??

Yes you can. But the food prep and storage areas need to be pet free.

Suppose you took the dog for a walk in the rain. Where would you clean his paws? Or if you were in the room with the dog then went to the food prep area, how would you decontaminate yourself? Where do you prepare his food?

Ideally the dog should never be allowed in the kitchen.

And you may well need to separate your cold food from the business food. Hence the need for two fridges.

Talk to your local council, they will advise on what you need.

 

[Chris Ashdown]

Bloody auto spell checkers, they could get you hung

 

[Ian J]

Bloody auto spell checkers, they could get you hung

I reported it to the mods early this morning and asked them to correct the mistake but no-one has bothered

 

[paulears]

no-one has bothered? It's a Saturday, it's three PM - Are you answering work emails today, assuming it's your day off? 24/7 moderation is somewhat expectant, isn't it. They will no doubt see it when they get a chance. Bothered? Wow!

 

[Newchodge]

I reported it to the mods early this morning and asked them to correct the mistake but no-one has bothered

Ian, I assume you are referring to the thread title, as few bakers will worry about baLing with a pet.

I think Chris was referring to his suggestion that WIFE clean surfaces may be needed.

With regard to moderation, there are rarely mods available at the weekend, but these forums are available 24/7. What happens if an ultra offensive post is put up and no-one is available to take it down because it is the weekend?

 

[Mr D]

With regard to moderation, there are rarely mods available at the weekend, but these forums are available 24/7. What happens if an ultra offensive post is put up and no-one is available to take it down because it is the weekend?

Those of us around at the weekend get to spend time mocking the poster?

 

[Jeff FV]

Have changed the title of the thread as requested

Haven’t changed @Chris Ashdown ’s typo as it made me chuckle (and was an obvious typo). If the consensus is to edit the typo I will.

In answer to @Newchodge concern about offensive posts staying up when no mods are around, the only three possible solutions I can see are:

1. Get more mods, who are available at the weekend (unlikely)

2. Prevent posting at the weekend when no mods are available

3. Live with it.

I vote for option 3.

 

[Mitch3473]

He has the run of the house but can be separated from the kitchen when necessary. I just find it hard to believe that you cannot operate a food business from your home if you have a dog or a pet??

I have 3 dogs and I know that dog hairs get everywhere no matter how careful you are....if I paid money for a food product that had a dog/cat hair in it/on it I'd take my business elsewhere and bad news travels fast. Put yourself in my shoes, you'd probably do the same.

 

[Ian J]

no-one has bothered? It's a Saturday, it's three PM - Are you answering work emails today, assuming it's your day off? 24/7 moderation is somewhat expectant, isn't it. They will no doubt see it when they get a chance. Bothered? Wow!

24/7 moderation may well be somewhat expectant but one of the mods actually posted in this thread several hours after I suggested that the title be corrected which is what prompted my comment.

 

[fisicx]

24/7 moderation may well be somewhat expectant but one of the mods actually posted in this thread several hours after I suggested that the title be corrected which is what prompted my comment.

I would have done it Ian but I couldn't work out where to edit the title (I've since discovered the magical box that does this).