is it legal to create food products in your own kitchen and sell it for profit?

[Amazin]

Obviously you also need food and hygeine certificate. I'm thinking of creating something tasty and sell it for money.

 

[billie1]

Your premises will need to be inspected by Environmental Health as you will need a separate certificate to say your premises is compliant. It's sometimes easier to rent out a space in a food kitchen. You can find kitchen spaces to rent at: www.kitchenstorent.co.uk

 

[Peanut Butter Man]

Indeed you can and many do. EHO will need to be told about your business and they will inspect and offer advice on what is needed. You don't need a commercial kitchen just good practice. As you grow you may need larger space and as billie said you can rent kitchen space in incubators that are beginning to open up around the country. (Billies link to the site didn't work)

You want to make something tasty.. do you mean in comparison to everyone else who makes food that isn't ;-). There are a lot of small home bakers, jam makers PEANUT BUTTER MAKERS etc etc. do your homework and get on with it.. Good luck.

 

[Amazin]

Oh thank you so much for the replies. Im thinking of doing it part time to be honest. On weekends etc. Is that possible? I guess the costs can be huge to rent a space in a food market because im based in london and I don't drive!

 

[billie1]

It's not very expensive if you rent a shared kitchen. Many businesses now rent out spaces in their kitchens. Check out the wesbite www.kitchentorent.co.uk

 

[paulears]

The environmental health people like giving advice rather than the hassle of enforcement - so go and have a chat. The ones in my area are really nice people, and very helpful.

 

[Lentinus]

Yep and they are quite used to people doing this.
You will need some product liability insurance and decide on a route to market. Farmers markets are one option.

 

[fairdealworld]

I agree with paulears the environmental health people are very positive about trying to help you. They just want you to run a safe operation and if you are willing they'll do everything possible to help and guide you. Once upon a time in previous premises I thought about opening a cafe section, phoned the local authority and a most helpful officer came out to advise. In the end other things changed and we didn't go ahead with this plan but compliance was less difficult than I'd imagined.

I know someone who used to make food at home to sell. Her ordinary domestic (clean!) kitchen was inspected and it was passed without any difficulty. I seem to remember she was required to make good a seal between a work surface and the wall which had become damaged and might have hosted bacteria but that was more than reasonable.

I'd say never be afraid to just phone the local authority and ask for advice. They'll try to help you and as long as you are reasonable in return it will work out fine.

 

[andy.bailey.1848]

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