Whilst during lockdown there has been a rise in home kitchens becoming a more popular option, the lack of regulation on hygiene and safety is becoming more of a risk. A Milton Keynes food blogger gives her views.
Many start up outlets are selling food through social media platforms like Facebook Marketplace and WhatsApp instead of regulated outlets like JustEat or Uber Eats, putting further pressure on a hygiene inspection system that's already under strain due to COVID.
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 due to the system 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.
'Sophie etc' is a Milton Keynes food blogger. She gives MKFM her views:
"Due to the current situation, people who face financial difficulties due to pay cuts, furlough or redundancy, are turning to setting up a food business from home, baking cakes or offering takeaways to make ends meet.
Most are registering with the council as they should be, but there has been an overwhelming number of new registrations with local authorities. This means that inspections are delayed, as are registrations.
"I am regularly contacted by new businesses to feature them on my platforms. I always do my due diligence and check the Food Standards Agency website or Scores on the Doors to make sure they are registered (and if I can't find the information, I ask them) I won't work with businesses who aren't registered or insured.
"I have to make sure that the food vendors I recommend are legitimate and my readers can fully trust my recommendations. I also run a Community Facebook Group, Eat & Explore MK, which has over 7,000 members and a requirement of businesses joining is that they are fully registered and insured.
"Social media makes the line quite blurred for consumers, and I think many of us assume that everything we see on social media is legitimate. We are too trusting. It's important to do your own due diligence as a consumer if you are unsure about a business.
"And if you aren't sure - ask them. If they are following the regulations, they won't have any qualms in responding or in fact displaying their status in their social media bios or website.
"If a business is cagey, you do have a right to be concerned. That's okay - just vote with your feet and take your business elsewhere. For me, commenting publicly on social media isn't cool. Even if a business is registered, comments that bring it into question could harm its reputation.
"It is brilliant to see so many people create opportunities out of a situation that is, quite frankly, awful and we have a thriving, diverse range of independent vendors in Milton Keynes that operate from home, as well as excellent restaurants and cafés.
"I think it's important that people are aware of this issue, but don't use it as a witch hunt. The businesses that do follow these regulations will be the ones that are more likely to survive the long-term."
You can check out Sophie's blog by clicking here.
