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For more information about other provinces, email support@beavy.ca.
Information Notice: This guide is for general informational purposes only and is not legal, tax, or professional advice. Requirements may vary depending on your products, business activities, and municipality. Always verify current requirements with your local public health unit and the appropriate government authorities before starting your business.
Yes. Ontario allows certain home-based food businesses to prepare and sell food.
Yes, provided you comply with applicable food safety and legal requirements.
Yes. Many home-based businesses sell at farmers’ markets.
Yes. Ontario instructs new operators to contact their local public health unit.
A home food business is a business that prepares food in a home kitchen for sale. Examples include home bakeries, jam makers, candy makers, and other low‑risk food businesses.
Ontario has rules that allow certain foods to be prepared from home while still protecting public health.
Before anything else, decide what products you will sell and how you will sell them.
The answers affect which rules may apply.
Many home businesses begin with low‑risk foods. Examples include:
Products containing meat, dairy fillings, custards, or requiring refrigeration generally require additional consideration.
Before selling, contact the public health unit responsible for your area. They can provide guidance on:
Ontario’s guide specifically directs new operators to notify their local public health unit.
Even when preparing low‑risk foods, good food safety practices are important.
Depending on what you sell, product labels may need information such as:
Requirements vary depending on the product and how it is sold.
Depending on how you operate, you may need to:
Insurance is not always legally required, but many businesses choose to obtain commercial liability insurance.
Some farmers’ markets and events may require proof of insurance.
Common options include:
Assuming all homemade foods can be sold from home
Skipping contact with the local public health unit
Using incomplete product labels
Ignoring municipal requirements
Expanding into higher‑risk foods without understanding additional rules
Yes, many low‑risk baked goods are permitted.
Not always — it depends on your products.
Recommended, and sometimes required.
Yes, with proper labelling and compliance.
