Home-based Food Businesses
If you are producing food at home for sale directly to persons and/or for sale to premises such as cafés and grocery stores and/or at events such as fetes and fairs, then you are a home based food business and applies to you.
A home based food business must comply with the same requirements as any commercial food business. Food businesses operating from a residential premises are expected to comply with the same Standards and Regulations as commercial food businesses. These Standards and Regulations include:
- Food Act 2001 (South Australia)
- Food Regulations 2002 (South Australia)
- Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code
Generally home-based food business are only suitable for the production of low risk foods. For further information please see the FAQ’s section below.
Assessment Process
New home based businesses must contact Council prior to commencing operations to ensure legislative requirements have been met. The assessment process is outlined below.
- Assessment Form – The assessment Form attached to this guideline is to be completed and submitted to Council before the business commences.
- Preliminary Assessment – Once the application from has been received, Council’s Environmental Health officer will arrange a preliminary assessment. This will involve an inspection of the premises or a questionnaire over the phone. The assessment will ensure that the premises complies with the relevant legislation and is appropriate for the intended use. Council’s Planning Team may also be notified of your proposal.
- Decision – A decision will be made on whether your premise is suitable to operate as a food business once all required information has been received and processed. A written outcome will be provided to you.
- Notification Form – If your premises is deemed suitable, a Food Business Notification form needs to be completed and submitted to Council. If your premise is not deemed suitable further instructions and options will be provided to you in writing.
- Routine Inspection – Once the Food Business Notification form is received, your premises will be scheduled for on-going routine inspections.