Have you created a cupcake that has other moms staring in amazement? Maybe you make a gluten-free banana bread that’s out of this world? Whether it’s a decadent dessert, a delicious jam made from your grandma’s best recipe or a healthy casserole for busy families, perhaps you’ve thought about creating your own food business.
If you’re daunted by the prospect, take some time to find out what’s required. As an entrepreneur who processes food, you must fulfill obligations and responsibilities governed by federal and provincial acts, statutes and regulations, as well as local by-laws.
Your business should be properly insured as well, so that any future problems, such as food-borne illness, don’t put you out of business. Consult the Insurance Bureau of Canada’s website for information on risk management.
Requirements for Food Premises
Check with your local health inspector for food premises requirements. For example, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit carries out routine inspections of food premises in the Simcoe Muskoka area. Contact your city or town administration for local by-law requirements too. Keep in mind that you cannot use your own home kitchen to make food products that you plan to sell to the public. Food must be prepared in a separate inspected kitchen.
Local guidelines for food premises will outline requirements for hand-washing and utensil-washing sinks and commercial dishwashers. They will require adequate refrigeration and freezer space with accurate thermometers, as well as adequate dry food storage space and food containers. They will also outline lighting, wall-covering and flooring requirements. Look for guidelines about cleaning equipment, exhaust venting, bathrooms and storage space as well.
Draft a floor plan and layout of the proposed premises and submit it to the health inspector for review. Once your kitchen is ready, schedule an opening inspection with the health inspector.
Food Safety & Labelling Requirements
Food safety is top priority during all aspects of the manufacturing process. In addition to the design of your production facility, you must consider how you handle and store raw materials, ingredients, packaging and waste. Other considerations include proper use of equipment, training of employees, pest control, potential recalls and packing and label requirements.
Health Canada assesses and controls the nutritional value, quality and safety of food under the authority of the Food and Drugs Act. Nutritional labelling is now mandatory for most packaged foods. See the regulations here. You can pay for nutritional testing for your food products through George Brown College or Guelph University. The results of the testing can then be used included on the food label.
Because many foods contain ingredients or substances that can cause adverse or allergic reactions in some people, most prepackaged food must have a complete and accurate listing of ingredients. For information on food allergies and your responsibilities as a processor, see the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s website.
Start Small
Once your product has been formulated and tested, provide product samples to friends and acquaintances to get word-of-mouth business going. Take your product to farmers’ markets to get more consumer feedback. Be aware that most farmers’ markets require vendors to be responsible for meeting health regulations. Bring your product to industry trade shows. Although they can be expensive, trade shows offer potential to establish a presence in the marketplace and generate sales.
Price it Right
Production costs shouldn’t be your only consideration when coming up with a price for your product. Use “target pricing.” Study the competition and your customers to identify a competitive price point. Then decide on a desired profit. Work backward to calculate the costs at which you must produce your product. Take into account the target profit margin, price reductions for retailers, costs of promotion and future distribution costs.
For detailed information about food manufacturing requirements in Canada, see this handy guide. It includes advice on selecting ingredients, labelling and packaging, promoting and pricing. Visit Canadian Manufacturing’s food pages for daily news related to the food industry.
The Small Business Enterprise Centre can help too! Contact us today.
I really blog too and I am authoring something very similar
to this excellent blog, “How to Start a Food Business –
Turning Family Recipes Into Profits”. Do you really mind
in the event that Iincorporate a little of your own ideas?
Many thanks -Gregory
Gregory – Please feel free to incorporate the ideas or information from the food blog into your own blog. We are happy that you enjoyed the blog.
Precisely how long did it require u to create “How to Start a Food Business – Turning Family
Recipes Into Profits”? It carries an awful lot
of decent information and facts. Thx -Monique
Thank you for your comment. We pulled the information together based our experience working with entrepreneurs and small businesses in the food sector over the past few years. In addition we utilized resources and guides from government organizations such as the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. We are happy to hear that you found the information useful.
This article, “How to Start a Food Business – Turning Family Recipes Into Profits” was in fact perfect.
I’m impressing out a clone to show my personal buddys.
Regards-Joan
I actually found this specific article , “How to
Start a Food Business – Turning Family Recipes Into Profits”, truly pleasurable and also the blog post was
in fact a good read. I appreciate it-Arielle
I actually found this specific article , “How to Start a Food Business – Turning
Family Recipes Into Profits”, extremely interesting and also the blog post
was indeed a very good read. Thanks a lot,Regan
Whatever really encouraged u to write “How to Start a Food Business
– Turning Family Recipes Into Profits”?
I reallyreally loved it! Thank you -Alex
We receive a lot of inquiries on how to start a food business at our Centre. It can be a challenge to learn all of the steps and rules. We are happy to hear you enjoyed the post!
This particular post, “How to Start a Food
Business – Turning Family Recipes Into Profits” ended up being amazing.
I am creating out a replicate to clearly show my close
friends. Thanks for your time-Ervin
“How to Start a Food Business – Turning Family Recipes Into Profits” was a remarkable blog
post. If solely there was more websites such as this amazing one on the actual world wide web.
Anyway, thanks for ur precious time, Beulah
I really have a tendency to agree with almost everything that
ended up being authored within “How to Start a Food Business – Turning
Family Recipes Into Profits”. Thanks a
lot for all of the actual information.Thanks for the post-Dorcas
“How to Start a Food Business – Turning Family Recipes Into Profits” was quite
pleasurable and enlightening! Within modern world honestly, that is tricky to deliver.
Thanks, Lauren
This particular post, “How to Start a Food Business – Turning Family Recipes
Into Profits” ended up being remarkable. I’m making out a reproduce to present my friends.
Thanks for the post,Emelia
“How to Start a Food Business – Turning Family Recipes Into Profits” was
in fact a great read and thus I personally was in fact very
glad to come across the blog post. Many thanks,Leonor
“How to Start a Food Business – Turning Family Recipes
Into Profits” genuinely causes myself imagine a small bit further.
I personally enjoyed each and every individual section of this blog post.
Thanks for the post -Mark
I really was seeking for suggestions for my web site
and stumbled upon your own blog, “How to Start a Food Business – Turning Family Recipes
Into Profits”, would you care in the event I personally utilize many of ur ideas?
Many thanks -Hannah
Thank you for your comments about the food business blog – we are pleased to hear that you found the information useful. Feel free to use the content as needed!
I personally desired to present this particular post, “How to Start a Food Business – Turning Family Recipes Into Profits” with my best close friends
on twitter. I reallysimply just wished to distribute your wonderful posting!
With thanks, Ward
I actually think this particular blog , “How to Start
a Food Business – Turning Family Recipes Into Profits”, quite
engaging and also it was in fact a very good read.
Thanks for your time,Ollie
I contemplate as to why you labeled this particular posting, “How to Start a Food
Business – Turning Family Recipes Into Profits”.
In any event . I really appreciated the post!Thanks for your effort,Rhys
“How to Start a Food Business – Turning Family Recipes Into Profits”
was indeed a beneficial posting. If solely there were much more web blogs
similar to this one on the internet. Nonetheless, thanks a lot for ur time, Heidi
I really consider this blog post , “How to Start
a Food Business – Turning Family Recipes Into Profits”,
particularly interesting plus the post was a great read.
Many thanks-Valarie
“How to Start a Food Business – Turning Family Recipes Into
Profits” ended up being quite compelling and
beneficial! In modern world that’s very difficult
to achieve. I am grateful, Beulah
“How to Start a Food Business – Turning Family Recipes Into Profits” was indeed a great article and also I was indeed very glad to locate the blog.
Regards,Freya