Food business registration

Where this applies

This record is scoped to Great Britain. Scope is part of the claim: a rule that binds one part of a country does not bind the whole of it, and this library states the scope its sources state.

Instrument

Regulation (EC) 852/2004 art. 6 (assimilated law; GB version amended by the General Food Hygiene (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, in force 31.12.2020); Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013, SI 2013/2996

Who it binds

Every business that sells, cooks, stores, handles, prepares or distributes food — including home-based, mobile and online traders.

What it requires

A food business must register with its local authority at least 28 days before opening; registration is free and cannot be refused. The GB version of art. 6 applies in England, Wales and Scotland; Northern Ireland is subject to a separate food-hygiene regime.

Related records and requirements

• Food and Agriculture — Applies to food production and processing businesses.
• Logistics and Supply Chain — Applies to businesses that store or distribute food.
• Tourism and Services — Applies only to businesses that cook, prepare or sell food or drink for consumption — not to hospitality businesses generally.
• Food business registration (Ireland) — A food business in Ireland must register with the relevant registering authority (HSE, DAFM or SFPA) before starting operations, even from home.
• Food business registration (Türkiye) — A food business operator in Türkiye outside the scope requiring approval must hold a Registration Certificate from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
• Food business framework (LFGB) (Germany) — EU Regulation 852/2004 Art. 6(2) requires registering a food business with the competent district food-safety authority in Germany.
• Food business registration or approval (Norway) — A food business in Norway generally registers with Mattilsynet before starting, implementing EU Regulation 852/2004 Art. 6(2) via the EEA Agreement.
• Food business operating permit or notification (Switzerland) — A food business in Switzerland that does not handle animal-origin food need only notify (melden) its cantonal enforcement authority.
• Food premises registration (Malaysia) — A food premises owner in Malaysia must register through the Ministry of Health's FoSIM system across four categories (manufacturing, catering, restaurant/retail, mobile vendors); operating unregistered risks a fine up to RM10,000 or up to 2 years' imprisonment.
• Food business registration (Taiwan) — A food business in a category and scale designated by public announcement in Taiwan may commence operations only after applying for registration with the competent authority.
• Food business notification (NSW) (Australia) — Every food business in New South Wales must notify its local council, or the NSW Food Authority for higher-risk sectors, before beginning to trade.
• Food premises registration (Victoria) (Australia) — Every business selling food or drink in Victoria must register with its local council before trading, with the lowest-risk Class 4 needing only a free notification.
• Food business licence or notification (Japan) — A food business outside the 32 sector types named in Japan's Food Sanitation Act Enforcement Order must instead give prior notification to the prefectural governor.