A new campaign from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) is calling for all new food businesses to register with them.
The Covid-19 pandemic has seen a huge increase in food businesses based in people’s homes. Since March 2020, 37% of new food ventures registering through the FSA are run from domestic kitchens at private addresses. Many are also failing to register with environmental health teams as a food business.
These sellers are potentially putting consumers at risk as they may have little knowledge of food safety.
All food businesses have a legal obligation to register 28 days prior to opening – it is an offence not to do so. Businesses must register whether selling online, via social media sites, from a physical customer-facing premises or from a home kitchen.
Without registration, the FSA cannot assess the nature of the business, provide appropriate advice or provide a Food Hygiene Rating. The FSA can also help home caterers and those who sell online to identify when their hobby may have developed into a food business.
Michael Jackson, Deputy Director – Head of Regulatory Compliance, at the FSA said: “Local Authorities need to know who is trading in their area and registration is an opportunity to ensure that food businesses have access to relevant guidance and support to help them get it right from the start and to protect consumers.”
Food businesses can complete their registration and get more information at www.food.gov.uk/register
