Would You Buy Food...

[tiggerblue10]

...sold by locals/neighbours in your area?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-56032185

[emmie]

they are doing this as a sideline surely....

[ummmm]

My friend started her business from her kitchen. She was inspected. This was long before Covid and her business is thriving, is legit, so why can't other people do it?

Most people clean their houses/kitchens to the standards required.

The way Barry is talking you'd think peoples houses were over ran with mice and cockroaches

[emmie]

from the link

Many are failing to register as food businesses, meaning their hygiene arrangements are not checked by local authorities.

But even those that do register are often not getting an inspection - despite new businesses usually being a priority - because the system is struggling to keep up during the pandemic.

Hygiene inspections ceased completely during the first lockdown and since then a scaled-back operation has focused on high-risk cases.

[THECORBYLOON]

Food Hygiene Certificates can be checked here, https://ratings.food.gov.uk/

[barry1010]

ummm, I have no objection to people working from their own homes in any capacity as long as they abide by the rules.

I don't think every home is infested with vermin but I don't believe that every person has proper knowledge of food safety in a business capacity, from safe storage to labelling.

The majority of tea rooms, greasy spoons, restaurants, take aways, delis, pubs that sell food etc in my area have continued to operate despite lock down as take away/delivery only. It is not right that they should face the additional challenges of increased competition from unregulated new businesses that can undercut them because they are not paying for the required insurance and are not declaring their income to the taxman. Anyone can apply to be register their home food business - the penalties can be huge if they don't.
https://www.gov.uk/food-business-registration

Competition is great for the customer - more choice, helps keeps prices down but it should be on a level playing field.

[barry1010]

Ummm, before I report anyone to the council I ask what their food hygiene rating is AND I check on my local council's website.

If I do report somebody in error the council won't take any action against them as they have done nothing wrong.

This is part of the email I got from my local council a few months ago: "We are carrying out food hygiene inspections at the moment so they FSA rating scheme is not suspended and never has been. Some Local Authorities may work differently though. We normally carry out inspections within 28 days of registration."

[THECORBYLOON]

This link shows Hygiene Certificates in Scotland, https://www.foodstandards.gov.scot/consumers/food-safety/buying-food-eating-out/food-hygiene-information-scheme

[Mozz71]

I'll be honest Barry, I'm not sure if you're being a good citizen and looking out for people or whether you're a complete busybody with nothing better to do than to make other people's lives more difficult. Jury's out on that one.

[ummmm]

You sound very petty, Barry.

Have you not watched the programmes where takeaways and restaurants are filthy. I've not seen a domestic kitchen like those.

[Smowball]

I might not order from someone’s house but honestly don’t think I could report them either - god I could get them in no end of trouble .

[royfromaus]

barry1010
douglas, you think it is okay for someone to source their ingredients from lord knows where, store it inappropriately (not properly refrigerated or refrozen, exposed to vermin etc), prepare the food in a dirty kitchen, keep it at room temperature, pack it in unsuitable containers and deliver it hours later? Not to mention lack of attention to hand washing.
___________________________________

Bazzer, that's typical of many takeaways.

[Ellipsis]

> You sound very petty, Barry.

What, for checking food standards? You're kidding. We're in a pandemic, locked down to avoid overloading hospitals, and both regulated and unregulated people/businesses are selling food on social media. Barry reports the unregulated ones, leaving the regulated ones to get on with it. What's petty about that?

It's one thing your friends cooking you a dinner or making you a sandwich. But if they're going to charge you for it, they're not your friends any more, they're a business, and they're implying that they're safe. If you've ever been the victim of food poisoning that's put you in hospital, you'll know that it knocks you very low. Being in a covid-ridden hospital with food poisoning is not an experience I would want for anybody.

[piggynose]

has anybody on here ever used " too good to go" app?
its an app used by reputable eateries to reduce waste. Most of the food is about 1/3 of the price.

[ummmm]

Is Barry able to access that info?

I spent a month in Thailand....I wouldn't eat the street food, it's a choice. But reporting....that's petty....get a different hobby!

[Ellipsis]

> My friend started her business from her kitchen. She was inspected. This was long before Covid and her business is thriving, is legit, so why can't other people do it?

They can and do, and they should not have to compete against people who are NOT inspected. Is your friend happy to be competing against non-legit businesses? Barry is doing people like your friend a favour.

[lankeela]

I wouldn't buy anything from someone's home - and although I have never thought about reporting them you have given me an idea for a bit of boredom breaking!

[237SJ]

I saw a piece on BBC London about this a while ago. An undercover reporter bought food from people who had been advertising on local social media. The food was handed over on the doorstep of some terraced house in God knows where. You have know idea of the ingredients, the state of the kitchen, obviously no food handling courses completed, no idea if the fridge is at the correct temperature, no idea if there is a dog or some other animal in the food preparing area. I wouldn`t touch it with a bargepole and I don`t see why anyone would.

[david small]

That’s a no.

[237SJ]

It's a 'No' from me, Bob

[jourdain2]

Reply to OP. Yes, of course. Every month we used to have coffee and chat and people would make cakes, meat slices etc. etc.,. Any left was sold for Community Centre funds. Always good.
Then again, I noticed as I scrolled down that someone said s/he wouldn't eat street food in Thailand, but I went with my friend's helper to a local market in Bangkok and the food we brought back was great - as it was at another overcrowded market food sales area.

Locals sell eggs, spuds all sorts and this year we raised money by selling Christmas cakes, sausage rolls etc.. All good value and good quality.