HOTREC | Shedding Light on the "Meal-Sharing" Platform Economy

HOTREC ‘MEAL-SHARING’ PLATFORM POLICY PAPER – MAY 2018

FOOD SAFETY

DEFINITIONS

PUBLIC SAFETY, SECURITY AND ACCESSIBILITY

Modernization of definitions and regulations according to the nature/scale of activity

Clarification of host’s responsibility in following established EU and local regulations and guidelines on food

safety, traceability, acrylamide, and in declaring allergens in food. Clarification of the nature of a home restaurant

(in terms of size and scale), and the extent to which it is to be subjected to mandatory registration with public

authorities and inspections

Outdated definitions fail to reflect the new types of business model which have emerged

There is no clear picture on whether home restaurant hosts are following established EU and local regulations

and guidelines relating to the condition and hygiene of facilities and equipment, or procedures for storing and

handling food

There is no clear information about whether hosts are following established EU regulations and guidelines

relating to declaration of allergens, traceability of food served and acrylamide in food

There is no clear picture on whether the platforms inform their hosts of the various obligations they have as food

business operators, within the meaning of the EU General Food Law Regulation (e.g. complying EU legislation on

food safety and information and to mandatory registration with food safety public authorities), when preparing

and serving food to paying customers on a regular basis

Some home restaurants with very limited and irregular activities may however fall outside of the jurisdiction of

food safety authorities, because of a lack of a clear definition of home restaurants

NB: The risk to public health increases with the frequency and volume of food preparation

Individuals are hosting guests in private residences for a commercial activity, which has implications for the health

and safety (particularly fire safety and building suitability) of both hosts, guests, neighbours and the surrounding

environment

Individuals are hosting guests in private residences for a commercial activity, which may be subject at national

and local level to legal requirements on accessibility

KEY POLICY CONSIDERATIONS:

AREA REQUIRING ATTENTION:

LEGISLATIVE INSTRUMENTS

USED TO REGULATE THE HOME RESTAURANT