East Suffolk Council

Advice for cake makers

Food safety advice for cakemakers and home caterers

Our Cake makers and home caterers guidance is intended for anyone who plans to run a food business from home, making cakes, biscuits, traybakes etc. This might include preparing food to sell in shops, at a market, or selling to other businesses or consumers. All food businesses are required by law to have a documented food safety management system in place to show how they are producing safe food. We have provided a simple Cake makers home caterers food safety management system document that you can complete to meet this requirement.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) have produced guidance on Starting a food business from home which can be read in conjunction with the information given here.

You should also take the following into consideration before you start your business:

Planning permission

You may need planning permission to run a business from home, so take advice from our Planning department.

Business rates

You may have to pay increased rates if you use part of your property for a business. More advice on business rates.

Insurance

Just in case things go wrong, we strongly recommend you to take out insurance to cover claims against you (third party insurance) in the same way as any other business. Unfortunately this can be quite expensive. You should consult your solicitor or insurance agent about this.

Restrictive covenants

Especially in older properties, you may find that the deeds contain clauses that prevent you from carrying out certain activities and running a food business may be one of them. You should consult your own solicitor about this.

Mortgage restrictions

If you have a mortgage on your property you must contact your lender and talk to them about your intentions. If you rent your property, you should consult your landlord.

Waste removal

If your business generates significant amounts of waste, you may need to arrange a trade waste contract. More information about commercial waste.