Anyone know about food hygiene regulations?

[ASnowBusiness]

Regular poster but NC - CF, elderly Korean lady, cancel the cheque

I'm pondering starting an ice cream business, selling at farmers markets and other events.

However, to keep initial investment low, in an ideal world I'd like to start off making everything in my kitchen at home. However, I've no idea if I could actually get my kitchen passsd by environmental health, due to a few factors

• the bathroom is directly adjoined to the kitchen (one door separating the two)
• the only access to the garden is via the kitchen, so while I can keep DDog out most of the time using a baby gate, I would need to be able to usher him through quickly a few times a day.
• there's some damp - I keep the mould on the walls at bay, and the landlord is meant to be organising builders to fix it and I've no firm date on it yet

If it's a complete no-no, does anyone know if it's possible to hire a commercial kitchen?

I think it depends on which area you live in, some are fine with using the kitchen others require a dedicated room

Many village and church halls are commercial kitchens.

I'm in the process of looking into this for my own business too.

bathroom is directly adjoined to the kitchen

I think this is a big no and it's in my council's guidelines that you can't have it directly adjoined! If you go on your local council page they should have a checklist of what to prepare. The damp shouldn't be a huge problem if concealed because it's more about how you clean up and store food etc.

It is possible to hire a commercial kitchen but they have different rules and hoops to jump through - it also cuts into your profits significantly as puts your costs up I looked into this too. It's hard! Good luck

I would speak to whoever handles the inspections for your local council. It can be very strict and they can be quite quick to make a fuss and shut people down in some areas.

Have you looked at the Food Standards Agency website? They have advice about setting up a new business.

God, I really hope that isn’t suitable because that combination makes me feel queasy

The bathroom rules it out completely I’m afraid, there has to be at least two doors separating them.

Surfaces need to be easy to clean and disinfect, decorative surfaces are frowned on. The dog would be ok, provided you weren’t preparing food at the time she was passing through.

You’d also need separate storage for the business food, and your own food, as well as separate utensils.

I think you need two sinks.

I have a feeling that there may be different rule for small businesses making from home. For example people running cake businesses don't need a commercial level kitchen.

I also have a feeling that you can get round the bathroom thing with the right extractor fans.

Can't remember where I have heard this though!

If you ask their advice the Food Standards inspectors can be incredibly helpful.

I doubt you will get you kitchen approved (sorry :( ) because of the bathroom adjoining, it certainly used to be at least two doors separating them. The mould isn't an issue provided you keep on top of it. The dog? Well, that would be discretionary and might well be a simple case of whether or not the inspector is a dog lover!

In the US they have kitchens to rent, from a few hours to a couple of days a week. Great idea. I don't think that happens here yet. It might be worth speaking to local cafes, even fish and chip shops, and asking if you could hire their facilities while they are closed. Anywhere that produces food and has a 5* rating.. the way the economy is there is a chance someone will jump at the chance of making a few £ while they are otherwise closed.

Good luck, it's tough but if you really go for it and explore the possibilities then you may get lucky.