Serving food from home

[kate_r]

Hi,

I would like to start selling homemade food (hot and cold) to shops and direct to customers, but I was told by my Dad that its very expensive and I need to hire out a commissary! Is it an expensive process to comply with the food safety standard required by the authority? Will a license be needed?

I saw this post but it's a bit thin on the food safety requirements, any licensing, etc.

Many thanks

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

You will need to have food hygiene training and your kitchen will need to be assessed.

Speak to your local environmental health team, who should be able to give you lots of help. Also speak to your local councils business support team, as they may be able to get you access to training.

 

[ethical PR]

What is a commissary @kate_r and what have they got to do with having a home made food business?

The article you have linked to in your post already tells you which organisations you need to approach in terms of food safety/licensing - so a little confused as to why you are posting here, rather than going to the horses mouth directly.

 

[Nochexman]

A practical suggestion: find a local WI or Farmers Market. You can sell your food with them and they have clear rules for food preparation that can be applied to running your own business.

 

[kate_r]

What is a commissary @kate_r and what have they got to do with having a home made food business?

I think a commissary is a commercial kitchen where food truckies prepare their food.

The article you have linked to in your post already tells you which organisations you need to approach in terms of food safety/licensing - so a little confused as to why you are posting here, rather than going to the horses mouth directly.

I've tried going through FSA's code but I can't quite find what I'm looking for. It's not clear if a commercial kitchen fit out is actually needed.

 

[kate_r]

A practical suggestion: find a local WI or Farmers Market. You can sell your food with them and they have clear rules for food preparation that can be applied to running your own business.

Thanks for the suggestion. Wouldn't I still need to comply with food safety rules though? Be it a new kitchen fit out, licensing, etc.

 

[Scalloway]

If you are supplying food to the public you must comply with food safety rules unless you want to end up in court.

From the page you linked to:

The first step will be to register your business with your local authority’s environmental health department.

 

[ethical PR]

Kate it's really not that complicated. Your council will be able to advise you on whether your kitchen meets their regulations for commercial food prep and how you register. They will also be able to advise you on the food hygiene courses you need. Call them.

You know you need to do this. As @Scalloway mentions - it's the first point mentioned in the article you linked to in your opening post.

 

[Nochexman]

Wouldn't I still need to comply with food safety rules though? Be it a new kitchen fit out, licensing, etc.

The rules are quite basic / straightforward. You really should not need a new kitchen (unless you are angling for one )