Registration of a food business

infobox | Registration of a food business

Premises/vehicles used for a food business (including market stalls, delivery vehicles etc) are required by law to be registered. Anyone starting a new food business must register with the local authority at least 28 days before opening.

text | Registration of a food business 1

Registration allows us to keep an up-to-date list of all those premises in the area so food safety inspections can be carried out, the frequency of the inspections will depend on the type of business. Registration of a food business will not be refused and there is no charge, however, it is an offence to give information which you know is false.

Food Business Registration

Food premises requiring registration includes Restaurants, Cafes, Shops, Public Houses/Brewery (including wet pubs), Supermarkets, Staff Canteens, Warehouses, Hotels/Guest Houses/B&B, Home Caterers/Bakers, Delivery Vehicles, Haulage/Transportation, Market Stalls, Burger/Hot Dog vans, ice cream vans, etc. You must tell us about any premises you use for storing, selling, distributing or preparing food and drink.

If you use vehicles for your food business in connection with permanent premises such as a shop, or warehouse, you only need to tell us how many vehicles you have, no need to register each vehicle separately. If you have one or more vehicles but no permanent premises, you must tell us where they are normally kept.

You can register your food business online or download a copy of the Food Business Registration form.

Please tick all the boxes and answer all of the questions which apply to your business, if a seasonal business please give the dates between which you will be open/operating.

Food Business Approval

Certain types of food businesses/premises are required to be approved rather than just registered. Food businesses needing to be approved by Local Authorities are those dealing with Meat (processing plants etc), Fish/Shellfish (processing plants/wholesale markets etc) and Animal Produce (raw dairy/egg processing plants etc). Further information on approved premises can be found on the Food Standards Agency website or by contacting the Food Safety team below.

You can apply for approval online, make changes to your approval online or download a copy of the Food Business Approval form.

Please tick all the boxes and answer all of the questions which apply to your business.

After Registration

Once you have registered, your business will be scheduled to have an inspection carried by an officer of the Food Safety team – you do not have to wait for an inspection before beginning trading. At this inspection the risk level of the business will be assessed for timing of future inspections and the Food Hygiene Rating given.

You will need to notify the Food Safety team if there are any significant changes to your food business i.e. change of activities carried out in relation to food, the closure of an establishment etc. Such notifications should be made as soon as possible, no later than 28 days after the change has occurred.

infobox | Registration of a food business 2

The registration and Food Hygiene Rating of a food business is non- transferable, if a current food business is taken over, the new Food Business Operator (FBO) must register with the local authority at least 28 days before opening.

contact | Food, Health and Safety Team
Food, Health and Safety Team
Housing and Environmental Enforcement

Guildhall
Marshall’s Yard
Gainsborough
DN21 2NA
United Kingdom