Vol. 433 No. 7
26 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health the reason he has recommended that domestic kitchens should not be used to produce home baking for sale in retail outlets; the legal basis for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
All commercial food premises are required to register with their local health board under the Food Hygiene Regulations, 1950 and are subject to a registration fee and to random inspection.
There are particular health risks associated with the dual usage of a facility for commercial and domestic purposes. Kitchens used for domestic purposes are unlikely to meet the standards of safety required for commercial purposes under the Food Hygiene Regulations, 1950. They are not, therefore, usually considered for registration.
However, I have requested the Food Safety Advisory Committee to consider this question and to report to me as soon as possible.
