Food Business- Anyone ?

tzzt123

assj!

Somehow I didn't realize your second post there. Sorry ! So:

A. Thanks !
B. Just like you said, if anyone could ask for that info, how do I protect that information? I want them on my side, but I didn't know I'd have to give up sensitive information without being able to protect it. I am sure it doesn't have to be !!!!! like (give us the info if you want us on your side).

lincroft1710

You can protect the recipe by patenting it, but it will cost you.

Don't forget if you start selling the burgers you should invest in product liability insurance.

anamenottaken

assj wrote: »

The Council has an obligation to keep your data safe anyway. However I think that anyone can request information under the FOI Act, so it could be possible for people to get hold of your information.

But really, will anybody notice the unique product that it is?

Oh and you didn't even reply to my post! And no thanks! RUDE

It strikes me that you are just looking for a fight with the Council, but if you !!!! them off you will be very sorry! I can tell you that you need them on side.

Anyone can request information under the FOI Act but I don't think the Council would provide details of the ingredients of a product like this. It is not what the FOI is meant to deal with and should be covered by "commercially sensitive".

Not the topic of this thread but I'd be interested to know how many years "a few generations" covers and the geographical spread.

antrobus

lincroft1710 wrote: »

You can protect the recipe by patenting it, but it will cost you....

I'm that sure that you can patent a recipe. Patents have to be novel, useful and not obvious. For one thing, the OP might struggle to demonstrate that any kind of new burger recipe was 'useful' to anyone.:)

In any event, a patent (a) lasts for 20 years (?) and requires public disclosure of the details of the patent. (Which is why it's called a patent.) This would explain why Coca-Cola, for example, have never sought to patent their formula, and have preferred to simply keep it a secret.

antrobus

tzzt123 wrote: »

....
They asked me what the recipe is and said they don't sign NDA's. They didn't expect quantities but do expect the list of ingredients....

That seems entirely logical to me. If you are going into the business of meat processing and are going to be selling burgers to the general public, someone should be asking 'what's in it?' in order to confirm that 'what's in it' is permitted and doesn't involve a risk to life nor limb.

paulwf

The Coke formula isn't that secret...ingredients are listed on the side of every can and ingredients vary significantly from country to country anyway. Maybe a few of their flavourings are secret but that's just like you telling the council you include "herbs and spices", they probably just want to know your meat sources.

Consumers are very up on product information, whether they have an allergy, religious diet, medical diet or just like to know what they are eating. I'd get used to the idea of having to disclose the recipe (not the proportions and your sources though) if you want to get anywhere at all. Most successful food retailers have products that can be replicated but the ingredients are a very small part of what makes a catering establishment work.

gayleygoo

If you are mixing your own meat for a burger recipe then it's understandable that the food authorities will want to know what's in it. Butchers have to display the contents of their meat products (or at least have a copy available if someone asks), giving the amount of meat as a percentage, added rusk etc. Unless there's something sinister on your ingredients list the council will probably not bat an eyelid at the various herbs and spices in it - if they check it at all it will probably be to see your meat sources etc, after all they want food to be safe, they don't care whether or not we like the product!

It's unlikely anyone could tell from this information how you make your burgers, and how do you know that no-one else in the country makes them your way and could potentially sell them themselves if they wanted? I'd say don't worry about it, give the council the list, and good luck with your new business venture!