Registering and managing a food business

Managing food safety is about complying with food hygiene requirements and food standards.

You must have a written food safety management procedure which shows you’re complying with food hygiene requirements. It is important that as a food business owner or manager, you have had suitable training in food safety and hygiene.

When registering your food business you must do so with the local authority at least 28 days before trading or before the food operations start. The registration form requires basic details of your food business including the address and the food activities involved. Registration is free. 

If you are already trading and have not registered you need to do so as soon as possible. 

You must: 

• Make sure your local authority always has up-to-date information about your premises 
• Tell your local authority if you are planning to make any significant changes to your business 

If you operate more than one premises, you need to register each of them with the local authority in which they are located. 

If you handle products of animal origin, like meat, and you supply other food businesses, you might need to be approved. Speak to your local authority for information. 

Companies involved with food distribution or food supply that operate from an office should also register as food businesses. This applies even if no food is kept at the premises. 

You also need to be registered if you operate a website that arranges food deliveries. 

Once registered you may be inspected by an authorised officer from your local authority. 

Source: Food Standards Agency   

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