Inside Sydney’s booming, legal world of homemade food on Facebook Marketplace
“Home-based food businesses can operate legally in NSW, but like all food businesses, they must follow strict hygiene, labelling, and notification requirements,” a spokesperson for the NSW Food Authority said.
“Consumers are encouraged to ensure that any food they purchase – whether through online platforms like Marketplace or in person – comes from a business that complies with relevant food safety laws.”
Questions consumers should ask before buying a meal off Facebook Marketplace:
- What are the hygiene standards you follow inside the kitchen?
- Does your food come in labelled containers?
- Do you list any potential allergens on the food containers?
- Is the council aware of your operations and food safety protocols?
Home businesses must notify the council of their existence and food activity details, and are subject to inspections that, if they fail, are dealt fines or prohibition orders.
Cumberland Council said it was aware of about 30 registered home businesses that sell food on Facebook Marketplace, including the Munials’.
“To date, no fines or prohibition orders have been issued in relation to food safety breaches involving sellers on Facebook Marketplace,” a council spokesperson said.
Parramatta Council has 112 home-based businesses and 25 mobile food vans registered, and conducts its food inspections annually.
Honey chilli chips, rice, paneer bhurji, dal makhni, and butter chicken prepared by Sanjana and Shivangi Munial.Credit: Sitthixay Ditthavong
“Council doesn’t specifically monitor how these businesses market their services, nor does it regulate food services operating online via platforms such as Facebook Marketplace,” a Parramatta council spokesperson said.
Meta prohibits a range of different listings on Facebook Marketplace, including body parts and fluids, adult products, alcohol, drugs, gambling and human exploitation – but not food.
For the Munial sisters, preparing homemade food is more than just a job.
“In India, we are used to our mum’s home-cooked food every day, [and] we miss that. People miss that,” Shivangi said.
