What is important to know for those preparing food at home
Individuals can prepare certain food products at home and directly supply them to end consumers under a simplified VMVT procedure.
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Since a home kitchen is not equivalent to professional food production premises, specific requirements are set for such activities – i.e., it is defined which products can be produced, in what quantities, and what food safety and hygiene requirements must be followed. These requirements are established by the VMVT director’s order No. B1-649 of September 4, 2019, “On the Approval of Requirements for Food Produced and Supplied in Small Quantities to End Consumers.”
To carry out this activity, one of two types of activities can be registered with VMVT:
· 10.72.MK – bakery activity and production of flour products in small quantities;
· 10.85.0.GMK – production of prepared meals and dishes in small quantities.
Since December 2019, after the simplified home food production procedure came into effect, VMVT has already registered 896 operators of bakery and flour product production in small quantities and 461 producers of prepared meals and dishes in small quantities. These numbers show that the opportunity to start a small food business in one’s home kitchen attracts considerable interest.
VMVT specialists emphasize that the fact that food is made in a home environment does not automatically mean it is less safe. The safety of such food depends on how the production process is organized: what raw materials are used, whether personal and production hygiene requirements are followed, whether raw products are separated from already prepared ones, whether proper storage temperature is ensured, safe transportation, and product traceability.
A higher risk to consumers may arise in cases where food handling activities are carried out without registration according to the procedure established by legal acts. In such cases, it is not possible to assess the food production conditions, check how food safety requirements and product traceability are ensured, or clearly identify the person responsible for food safety.
A beautiful cake photo on social media is not yet a quality guarantee
When buying food on social networks or other online trading platforms, VMVT recommends evaluating not only attractive photos of desserts or other dishes, prices, or other buyers’ reviews but also ensuring that the person offering the food operates legally.
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Consumers should clearly know who made and sells the food. The food handling entity must indicate their name and surname, contact and activity details, and the food handling entity registration number provided by VMVT.
If the seller does not want to disclose their identity, does not indicate where they operate, does not provide activity registration data, or cannot provide information about the product’s composition, preparation, and storage conditions, VMVT recommends not taking risks and not buying such food.
Consumers can check at any time on the VMVT website in the published List of Food Handling Entities whether the food seller operates legally. If there are doubts about food safety or the legality of trade, possible violations should be reported to VMVT.
Online trade remains under VMVT’s scrutiny
VMVT periodically monitors online food trade, including food sellers’ offers on social networks. Inspections are carried out both routinely and upon receiving consumer reports, complaints, or other information about possible violations.
Most often, inspections reveal violations of food handling and personal hygiene requirements, improper food storage conditions, insufficient separation of raw materials and prepared food, lack of product traceability, improper labeling, or incomplete information about allergens. There are cases when activities are carried out without registration. Upon detecting violations, enforcement measures are applied depending on their nature and the risk posed.
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