Regulation or Permission related to Home base business - NSW - blending of Food Additives

Hi Guys,

I am planning for startup in NSW, which involves blending "Food Additives" (which are approved by FSANZ). e.g. Citric Acid, Bicarbonate of Soda etc.
So I will be sourcing few approved Food Additives in bulk from Australian suppliers, and blend them and resell them in smaller container.

Issue is, I am unable to find any regulation or requirement to operate this at home. FSANZ do not have any guideline on manufacturing Food Additives OR selling blended Food Additives from home.

I would appreciate any pointers…

Thanks in advance.

Comments

  • +2

    Is there a reason this would be different to handling other foods?

  • +3

    You could try contacting them and asking for clarification. They clearly have standards on the site including one that covers premises and equipment. I don't see why food additives would be different than any other foodstuff so you should be right if you meet all the requirements.

  • +2

    I think if you want to supply ingredients for human consumption you will need to meet the standards for food handling. I think chemical companies selling additives for human consumption would need to meet those standards too.

    In a lot of ways, handling something like citric acid will be easy, as it does not need refrigeration or other special handling.
    But you will still need to ensure it remain uncontaminated, handled with cleanliness and food grade containers, tools etc.

    I don’t think you will find a separate set of requirements for food additives, just the same as handling similar foodstuffs, like sugar, or flour.

  • +1

    There's some detail on https://www.smallbusiness.nsw.gov.au/get-help/home-business/…

    You can operate your home business without Council approval if:

    • it employs no more than 2 employees (other than those living in the residence)
    • it has no adverse impact on the amenity of the neighbourhood by reason of the emission of noise, vibration, smell (including cooking smells), fumes, smoke, vapour, steam, soot, ash, dust, waste water, waste products, grit or oil, traffic generation or otherwise
    • no more than one business identification sign is displayed
    • any goods offered for sale are produced in the home business (goods sold on the internet cannot be collected from the premises)
    • your business does not involve manufacture of food products^
    • your business does not involve any skin penetration procedures.^

    ^ As per Clause 2.43 of Subdivision 22 Home businesses, home industries and home occupations of the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008

    It goes on to say…

    Home food businesses

    Home businesses that handle food intended for sale must comply with the Food Act 2003 (NSW) and the Food Standards Code. You may also need to appoint a Food Safety Supervisor depending on what kinds of food you will prepare and sell.

    Food manufacturing businesses must also comply with the requirements of the technical standard ‘AS 4674 – 2004, Design, construction and fit-out of food premises’.

    Contact your Council's Environmental Health Department regarding requirements prior to the opening of the food business. Your local Council may not approve home businesses, which handle high risk foods such as dairy products, seafood, deli meats or eggs.

    Visit the NSW Food Authority for information on the obligations for food businesses and issues to consider, or download their home-based food business fact sheet

  • Thanks guys for valuable input.

    Just wondering, is it possible to hire commercial kitchen just for a day to prepare Food Additive mix? and still have home as place of business? may be this will fall under food standards.

    As its just food grade chemicals and have long shelf life, I might be preparing them only 4 time a year.

Login or Join to leave a comment