Food prep business - rules?

[berrieberrie]

I'm starting a small business, namely baking. It wil be friends and family and word of mouth with very minimal profit for quite a long while whilst I see if it takes off.
So, are there any rules regarding health and safety? tax etc?
I'm hoping to do it all off the record as there is no certainty that anything will come of it yet. But is that possible?

Only if you want to go to jail and face heavy fines.

Don't do it, it's not worth it.

It costs nothing to register as self employed with HMRC and I would imagine there are H&S regs on the internet for food businesses.

Ok, thanks. I just don't know where to start at all....

Well, go to HRMC website and register yourself as self employed! That would be a good first step!!

Thanks

Won't it mess up my taxes as I'm employed already?

You really need to speak to HRMC. They are very helpful.

HMRC rather! I keep typing it backwards!!!!

You would need to register your kitchen and get it approved by your local council.

Take a Food Hygiene course through the Environmental Health dept, can be done through your local council or college.

Also need public liability insurance.

All the above help cover you if you are selling your baking goods, to protect you incase someone was taken ill.

Look at Business Link for useful small business advice.