Media Reply on Home Based Food Businesses (HBFBs)

1 Under URA’s and HDB’s respective Home-Based Business Schemes, those living in private and HDB residential premises may carry out small scale home-based business activities, including food businesses such as baking on a small scale.  

2 The scale of operations in a residential unit is limited. This, together with the conditions of URA’s and HDB’s Scheme, meant that food is prepared for only a small number of people. Given this, SFA has a set of guidelines on good food safety practices which operators under the scheme can refer to. As long as the operators comply with this set of guidelines, they will not need a licence from SFA.

3 For the sale of meat and seafood products, operators should only sell products that are legally imported in compliance with the Wholesome Meat and Fish Act (WMFA). Operators should also ensure that the food they sell are obtained from SFA-regulated sources, are prepared in a hygienic manner and are safe for human consumption.  In view that ready-to-eat (RTE) raw seafood are considered a high-risk food as they do not go through a cooking process, and home-based operators may not have the proper facility and segregation of processes to handle raw and partially raw fish as well as cockles, home-based operators are not allowed to prepare it for sale from home.

4 HBFBs experiencing high demand for their food products and are interested in scaling up their operations are advised to set up a licensed food premises as they professionalise their operations into a full-fledged business.

5 Food safety is a joint responsibility. SFA would like to remind food operators, including HBFBs, to observe good food and personal hygiene practices at all times. Those who handle and prepare food under this Scheme are also encouraged to attend Food Safety Course Level 1. Consumers are also encouraged to exercise discretion when purchasing from home-based food businesses. SFA will not hesitate to take firm action against anyone found to be in violation of the Sale of Food Act and/or the Environmental Public Health Act.

6  More information on guidelines for HBFBs can be found on our website www.sfa.gov.sg/food-retail/overview.