Starting a food business from home

Finance, Taxes, Banking, Insurance and Retirement
1
Hello!

I recently moved to Switzerland and I would like to know the regulations regarding selling food products made at home.

If you can share the steps I need to do to make that happen or where I can go to get that info.

Also if anyone has already started their home food business especially in Geneva or Vaud, please share your experience. What went right? what went wrong? is it recommended? Was it a good way to "test" your product?

2
You might want to use the search function as this has probably been answered before.

You will need to find out what local rules apply to you based on where you live, but based on what I understand, running a "home based food business" is not allowed.

3
Thanks for your reply!

I did a search already before I posted, they all seemed to be in the German speaking side, no info about Geneva or Vaud.

I see some people sell their stuff in markets or through local cafes, how would they do that if it is illegal to make them at home?

Advice highly appreciated

4
Pretty much the same regulations in the French side as the German part. It's not illegal to sell food prepared at home at all. You need a food handling certificate (ask at your local commune for the local address) and if renting you should get permission from your landlord.

5
There are several threads covering this (see the "similar threads" box at the bottom of this page for a few to get you started). As far as I can remember, none of them state that it's illegal (which would be nonsense); most of them state that you need to pass food hygiene courses, get permission from your local gemeinde/commune and get permission from your landlord, that sort of thing.

6
Anything in regards to food is heavily regulated (laws,hygienic standard,regulations and rules) in Switzerland.

In the mid-noughties I looked into making my small one woman party catering service official....lack of funds and a lot of other legalstuff then were to high obstacles to overcome. I now only do it as a hobby for friends and family. And all the stuff I make in regards to preserves I just give away as gifts.

http://www.vd.ch/autorites/departeme...-veterinaires/

This is the link of the authorities in regards to that for Canton Vaud, you could get in touch with them and ask about details

And this is the link to the genevan page

http://ge.ch/sante/consommation-affaires-veterinaires

7
Thanks everyone for your replies!

I will definitely check the links you sent I know this might be a tedious and long process before I can get all the certifications to make it happen but I am willing to do it!

I would love to hear about experiences of people who went ahead and did it, I think it would be very beneficial for all of those thinking to start something.

8
In case this is still relevant, and if you are just starting out and selling food occasionally, check out www.kitchenhood.ch . It's a marketplace for selling homemade food in the neighbourhood.

Good luck!

9
The only people with a right to establish a business in Switzerland are Swiss citizens, C permit holders and citizens of the EU/EEA. It appears you to do not met those criteria, so getting permission to establish a business would be your first move.

10

Don’t know why you groaned Jim2007, TobiasM, since what he said is correct. Only Swiss citizens, C permit holders and EU/EFTA citizens have the “right” to establish a business here, everyone else has to ask permission from the Swiss authorities to do so. Hence the need for a good business plan and sufficient funds to keep the business going while it gets established.

11

Nothing on the German side of Switzerland so far :-(

Seems to be Romand-thing.