Home Kitchen Food Business in Estonia
A home kitchen-based food business is a great way to start your food business without a large initial investment. But it's important to know all the requirements.
What is Allowed?
From a home kitchen you can produce:
- Baked goods and confectionery
- Jams and marmalades
- Dried foods
- Certain types of preserves
What is NOT Allowed?
- Meat products
- Fish products
- Dairy products
- Fresh salads
- Prepared food requiring refrigeration
Requirements for Home Kitchen Business
Premises
- Separate kitchen for business
- Washing facilities
- Proper ventilation
- Storage area
- Waste storage
Documentation
- Self-control plan (simplified)
- Recipes
- Supplier data
- Sales logs
Registration
- Register your activity with PTA
- Get food handling certificate
- Create self-control plan
- Label your products correctly
Labeling
Each product must include:
- Product name
- Ingredient list (in descending order)
- Allergens (in bold)
- Net weight
- Storage conditions
- Best before date
- Producer name and address
Common Mistakes
- Wrong documentation - Too complex or inadequate
- Not labeling allergens - Can be dangerous and illegal
- Mixing spaces - Don't use same kitchen for family food
- Missing training - Even home kitchens need to know safety standards
Sales Channels
Where you can sell:
- Direct to consumer (from home, markets)
- Online store
- Local marketplaces
- Small shops (by agreement)
Taxes and Accounting
- Income must be declared
- Option for sole proprietorship or LLC
- VAT (if turnover exceeds threshold)
- Keep all expense documents
OTOH Helps
We offer:
- Home kitchen self-control plan
- Registration consulting
- Labeling review
- Training
Let's start your food business journey together!