Using domestic kitchen as business

Georgesmum79

Hi everyone. This might be a bit random, but I do hope that someone out there has experience and knowledge on this subject.

I am in the process of setting up a very small business, making dog treats at home and selling them. Unsurprisingly, there is a lot of regulation involved. I have sent off the registration to the Council, and am now in the process of filling in the application to be approved as a meat processing facility- this is required even though I intend to use supermarket bought meat, at least initially.

Now for the question- does anyone know if I can actually obtain this approval from APHA using my domestic kitchen, as I have a dog in the house (who sleeps in the kitchen). Furthermore, am I allowed to use my domestic fridge for storage, or would I need a separate fridge (keeping in mind that the ingredients I will use will be the same ingredients I will also use for my own food!). Just wondering how much cost there will be even to get up if I have to buy a separate fridge and freezer. It's obviously good that there are regulations and standards that aim to protect the consumer from food poisoning, but I have to say I am a bit surprised by the level of detail. I have to approach it like I was opening up a huge processing factory.

Any knowledge and info shared would be really helpful.

TIA

Mupette

same boat as you.

I'm making in my kitchen, and selling direct to the public.

I want to make sure I start off on the right foot.

looking at the food safety lvl 2 course, but its finding the right place to do it that's not bogus.

Food Safety uk claim i can do it online and get the cert all in 1 day for £10 + VAT.

Is this right, is it a legit site?

Sorry for such basic silly questions but when you are entering a new field and don't know who are legit from bogus online scams that could see me in trouble later.

I know i need to contact my local council, and what else?

Again another with pets, although my rule of thumb is clean kitchen before using it for my product and shut doors to stop any nosy 4 legged pet wandering in.

SailorSam

Does anything on here help ?
It's Ireland but probably it's similar here.

https://www.fsai.ie/food_businesses/starting_business.html

Or maybe some parts of this ..
http://www.food.gov.uk/sites/default/files/multimedia/pdfs/publication/starting-up-booklet.pdf

Mupette

http://www.food.gov.uk/business-industry/startingup

This is for the UK. but thanks SailorSam you put me on the right track.

Georgesmum79

It would actually be easier to make and sell food for humans in my kitchen! It's starting to sound like I won't be able to do the dog treats at home, if using any animal by-products, even if I buy them in the supermarket. The fact that I have a dog will potentially put a stop to it, followed by not having a separate kitchen for the cooking and preparation. The amount of regulation is just ridiculous. I could just do vegetarian treats, but how many would buy veggie treats for their dogs?

Need I say that this is all thanks to the EU....

Georgesmum79

I wonder how many people do sell home-made dog treats without the APHA approval? A few companies found through Google mention that they are approved, but some don't, which makes me wonder if they're actually doing this illegally.....

Mupette

Georgesmum79 wrote: »

I wonder how many people do sell home-made dog treats without the APHA approval? A few companies found through Google mention that they are approved, but some don't, which makes me wonder if they're actually doing this illegally.....

hmm that's interesting as i make homemade dog treats but for my dog, i was thinking of selling them although the only meat is the chicken stock which i use.

Mupette

registering with company's house.

Not sure what i should be, it will only be me,

sole trader? ltd company?

Mupette

I have pets can I still caterer from my home?

Ideally all pets should be kept out of the kitchen at all times. They must be kept out of the kitchen while food is being prepared and the kitchen must be thoroughly washed and disinfected before preparation begins.


http://www.southnorthants.gov.uk/2605.htm

Georgesmum79

Mupette wrote: »

hmm that's interesting as i make homemade dog treats but for my dog, i was thinking of selling them although the only meat is the chicken stock which i use.

Even if it's meat that you'd eat yourself or just stock, you must register with your Council and obtain the APHA approval. The moment you use anything that comes from animal for making animal feed, it becomes an animal by-product. Even honey! Failure to do so is a criminal offence and carries a maximum penalty of £5000 and I believe 5 years in prison. I don't think it's worth the risk. If you're making them for your own dog, that's gibe, but the moment you sell them you're committing an offence. I'm sure there are sites out there who don't have the approval.....but as a consumer I'd like to see confirmation that they have it as tl obtain it your methods need to be approved and you nerd to regularly test your products for salmonella and e.coli..


I've now had the advice I needed so much paperwork to come I'm afraid! 😁

[Deleted User]

It's such a shame that these additional rules apply. I suppose that's the big difference between manufacturing and preparation of foods, and as you have explained pet foods have their own rules!

Who'd have thought that preparing food for humans would have been easier.

Perhaps the solution is to have them made for you, you know the sort whereby you create the recipe, do the testing, research etc and then have them made elsewhere - like Tesco do with all their foods.