insurance, H&S, regulations...... (Food)

[kimshadow]

Hi

I want to sell cupcakes and i would really like to know the legal implicatoin of doing this:
* do i need insurance if so how much??
* do i have to register with the council??
* Health and Safty wise what are the regs??

Wow there is a lot to think about, you start out by thinking it will be easy and something simple to do at weekends and its seems a lot more invovled.


Thanks
kim

[greannancrafts]

Hi

I would start with your local Trading Standars Officer - they will point you in the right direction, re EH and labeling etc.

Jane

[fairycakes1972]

Hi Kim,

I posted on your other thread re getting your kitchen inspected. You do have to be registered with your local council to use your kitchen as a commercial kitchen, it's nothing major, but really varies from council to council just what they expect! I was told all sorts of horror stories before I started but my EHO was lovely, and to be honest, as long as you don't use any fresh cream/cream chees in the frostings, we cupcakers' (is that even a word :)) are very low risk.

Re insurance, I have to have £5,000,000 product and public liability to be able to sell on our local farmers markets, but once you find a venue they will tell you exactly what they expect you to have.

With regards to actually selling at the market, you will have to have things like, hot and cold water (for handwashing and washing up), washing up bowl, anti-bac soap, tea towels, etc. My EHO insists that the cakes are covered, (which is better then they don't get all dusty etc from the street) but a lot of people don't bother. Again the requirements do vary from market to market.

I thought it was going to be just turn up with my cakeys and off I go, but once I'd done my homework etc, it wasn't too bad! I've been sellling cupcakes for 18mths now, and am still learning as I go along, but it's great fun and well worth it when you see the smiles on peoples faces as they take a bit into a freshly made cupcake!!! And when they come back for more it's even better!!!!

If you need anything else, give me a shout and I'll help all I can!