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If you’re thinking about opening a food business from your own home the first thing you should do is contact your local council Environmental Health Department to get some free advice and to register as a food business.

All new food businesses need to register with their local council at least 28 days before they begin to trade.  This applies if you store, handle, prepare, distribute or sell any type of foodstuff (the definition of food also includes drinks).  The good news is registration is free and cannot be refused.  You will need to understand the principles of good food hygiene, the best way to do this is to take a Food Hygiene Training Course.  There is no restriction on running a food business from your home however you will be expected to meet the same legal standards as any other food business with regard to structure and practices.

The Food Standards Agency has a useful leaflet Starting Up – Your First Steps to Running a Catering Business which can be downloaded from their website and covers all the issues you should consider before you start.