KVK and NVWA join forces for better information
The number of people starting catering, meal service, or baking businesses from home continues to grow. More and more people are starting businesses from their own kitchens, often alongside their regular jobs. Conversations with new businesses reveal that many are not fully aware of the regulations they must comply with when working with food. An estimated 9 out of 10 new businesses are not sufficiently familiar with these requirements. Therefore, the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) and the Chamber of Commerce (KVK) are launching an information campaign.
Everyone who prepares, processes, or sells food is required to work with a HACCP food safety plan, also known as a hygiene code. This hygiene code outlines the rules for safe food handling. In addition, businesses must register with the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA). Many start-up businesses are unaware of these requirements before they begin production.
The role of media in the growing food hype
The popularity of cooking and baking is partly fueled by television programs like “Heel Holland Bakt” (The Great British Bake Off), cooking shows on platforms like 24Kitchen, Netflix baking shows, and the enormous amount of food content on social media. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok make it easy to promote cooking skills. Food content is one of the largest categories on social media.
Low-threshold start, but with unexpected obligations
This is why more and more amateur chefs are taking the plunge into entrepreneurship. The barrier to entry is low: many newcomers work from home, alongside a permanent job, and see their activity as an accessible way to earn extra money. But these newcomers often don’t realize that the same food safety regulations apply as those for professional kitchens.
Key figures and insights
- The number of part-time home caterers—self-employed individuals who prepare meals or provide catering from their own kitchens alongside their regular jobs—has been growing for years. In January 2022, 4,332 were registered; in January 2026, that number had risen to 8,053.
- In addition, the broader group of self-employed individuals who run a catering business entirely independently from home is also growing. Their number rose from 11,008 on January 1, 2022, to 16,839 at the beginning of this year. This is evident from figures from the Chamber of Commerce (KVK) Trade Register.
- From conversations with starters, it appears that an estimated 9 out of 10 starters are not fully aware of food safety regulations.
- Violations can lead to food safety risks, potential customer illnesses, and reputational damage. Warnings and fines may also be issued.
Information to better reach starters
To better reach this growing group, the KVK and NVWA have created a joint informational video. The video clearly explains the applicable rules, how new businesses can prepare for safe business practices, and how they can register with the NVWA. “We’re seeing an enthusiastic and growing group of home cooks and home bakers. You can start small, from home, without major investments. Consumers are also increasingly appreciating local, homemade, and artisanal food,” says KVK advisor Gerdine Annaars. “But some of these home caterers are unknowingly running risks due to a lack of essential knowledge. Therefore, good information is crucial. The video offers tools to get started well-prepared.”
Home baker on the importance of food safety
Rebecca Munster, ‘rebecbakt op Instagram’, is an enterprising home baker and featured in the video: “As a home baker, you naturally want everything you make to be safe. The hygiene code shows that many rules are actually quite logical, and that you often already comply with them unconsciously, such as washing your hands thoroughly and working cleanly. But there are also elements, such as HACCP, whose importance I hadn’t previously realized. With good information, you know exactly what to look for and can start working with confidence.”