Last Updated on Mar 23, 2020 by James W
Before we get into the nitty gritty and boring details of starting a business in the food sector, congratulations are in order. Well done for freeing yourself from the shackles of a boss and a career that has the potential to consume your life. You are now fully in charge. Being in charge, however, brings with it responsibilities that you need to tackle especially in the food industry. Here is how to seize those responsibilities and make the dream a reality.
Register your Business
Before you do anything else, register your business with the relevant authorities. There is a whole host of factors that you need to take into account to get your business up and running. But, it won’t mean anything if your local government isn’t aware of your business’ creation. They have the power to shut you down, so make sure you are both in tune.
At this point, you can also decide what kind of business you are. Are you a sole trader, a public limited company or a private company? They all have advantages and need analysing before you make a decision.
Get a Licence
Do you need one? Almost definitely you will. As a trader of products for profit, you are eligible to pay tax on numerous parts of your business. Plus, you have to deal with health and safety, and that is a whole different licensing issue.
Talk to your local authority again for more information. But, ask yourself questions like are you going to sell food and alcohol? Or, will you provide entertainment? If the answer is yes, you will need permission.
Food Safety Hygiene
Nothing is as important in the world of food than hygiene. You could be Gordon Ramsay and it wouldn’t make a difference if your place of trade didn’t adhere to the rules. Keeping abreast of all changes and adaptation is difficult, but it has to be done. Some of it is common sense and some of it needs learning. For example, keeping the food preparation area sparkling clean is a no-brainer. But, wearing gloves to handle food might not seem as simple.
For the best results, think about hiring someone to train staff to meet food hygiene targets.
Storing Food
Storing food is another part of food hygiene standards that is a related matter. Food needs to be stored at the right temperature and in the correct packaging. Whether you supply all your food yourself or use a supplier, look into industrial dehumidifiers and visit the web page https://bry-air.com/dehumidification/applications/product-drying/ for more information. They take out the moisture out of the air and the surfaces so bacteria and microbiological organisms cannot grow and reproduce.
Paper Work
Every business, no matter what industry it is a part of, should run smoothly. Keeping paperwork updated and contemporaneous is one last thing you have to worry about when it comes to filing tax returns or dealing with an audit from the tax man.
Now your dream really can become a reality. It is hard work, but it will be well worth it in the end.
