Food business licence or notification

Where this applies

This record is scoped to Japan. 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

Food Sanitation Act (Act No. 233/1947), Art. 54–55 (licence) and Art. 57(1) (notification)

Who it binds

Food business operators in Japan

What it requires

Japan's Food Sanitation Act sorts food businesses into three groups: 32 sector types named in the Act's Enforcement Order require a prefectural governor's licence (Art. 55(1)); a governor must grant it once the facility meets Cabinet Order standards, subject to narrow exceptions (e.g. a violation in the prior two years, a prior revocation). Businesses outside those 32 sectors must instead give prior notification to the governor (Art. 57(1)), unless they fall into an ordinance-designated low-risk category or are covered by a separate poultry-processing law. Since 1 April 2024, food-sanitation standard-setting authority sits with the Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA); licence/notification administration otherwise remains with MHLW and the prefectures.

Related records and requirements

• Food business registration (United Kingdom) — A food business in England, Wales or Scotland — including home-based, mobile and online traders — must register with its local authority at least 28 days before opening; registration is free and cannot be refused.
• 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 retail licence (Singapore) — Operating a food retail business in Singapore — restaurants, catering, coffeeshops, canteens, food courts, stalls, butchers and mobile vehicles — without an SFA licence is an offence.
• Food business licence (Hong Kong SAR China) — Hong Kong's FEHD issues a food business licence only to premises meeting prescribed statutory safety and hygiene standards.
• Food business license (China) — A food production, sales or catering business in mainland China must obtain a license, except agricultural-product sellers and packaged-food-only retailers, who file a simpler registration instead.