Tier 1 home-based food business - higher risk
A tier 1 home-based food business undertakes higher risk food handling activities, requiring a separate purpose-built commercial kitchen.
Any home-based food business that prepares potentially hazardous food for sale or prepares non-potentially hazardous food for sale using a more complex food handling method is a tier 1 home-based food business, except where:
- the business meets the definition of a tier 2 home-based food business.
What are more complex food handling activities?
More complex food handling methods include:
- food processing involving acidification
- food processing involving fermentation
- food processing involving drying, smoking or curing
- food processing involving canning & commercial sterilisation of food.
What are some examples of tier 1 home-based food businesses?
Example 1
A business manufactures, packages and delivers ready to eat potentially hazardous foods such as salads, cheesecake or sausage rolls to a café.
Example 2
A food business manufactures tempeh, which is packaged for wholesale and sold to a local supermarket.
Example 3
A business makes cakes with cream and custard fillings so they can be sold to a local restaurant.
Example 4
Business prepares hot meals such as pasta, casseroles and curries. The food is cooled packaged and then delivered to customers homes.
Example 5
A food business manufactures gnocchi, which is packaged and labelled for wholesale and sold to local supermarkets, cafes and corner stores.
To create a separate purpose-built commercial kitchen, you could convert a spare room or garage space, or construct a purpose-built structure on site. The facilities must be of a commercial kitchen standard, which is fully compliant with the Food Safety Standards 3.2.3.
For tier 1 home based food business fit out requirements refer to How do I fit out a new kitchen?