Helping home bakers hit hygiene standards

Council warns home-bakers they must meet the same standards as High Street businesses

Home baking businesses can get the help they need to be fully compliant with food safety standards with a little help from EHDC.

Small domestic catering businesses have become increasingly popular around East Hampshire as people turn their cooking skills into a way of making some extra income.

Now EHDC is reminding home bakers that they must comply with all the same food safety standards as their High Street equivalent.

Out of more than 1,100 eateries in the district, our Environmental Health Team is already aware of around 200 home bakers which they have visited and rated against the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS).

Any businesses that have not yet been inspected can receive a food hygiene rating following an inspection by EHDC.

A good rating shows you have appropriate food hygiene standards in place and are following best practices.

Businesses need to maintain high standards at all times, as ratings can change if standards fall between inspections. And it doesn’t matter how businesses sell their produce, whether it is via social media platforms such as Facebook marketplace or through a cake shed, they all need to comply with the legal requirements.

Cllr Tony Costigan, EHDC Portfolio Holder for Property, said: “During Covid we saw hundreds of little bakeries emerge as people made use of their free time to earn a little extra money.

“This kind of model is still very popular, but it is important to remember that these businesses need to meet all the same standards as their High Street equivalents.

“Getting an FHRS rating gives your customers the confidence that you are serious about hygiene standards.

“Our Environmental Health officers will visit your home, carry out an inspection and advise on how to make improvements where required. We will then give you a score that you can display on your website.

“All registered businesses, whether they are based at home or on the High Street must have at least one FHRS rating, with most requiring regular checks to ensure standards are maintained.”

The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme is run by the Food Standards Agency. Premises are given scores out of five.

Check the FSA website below for local business ratings.