How to register your food business

If you are planning to operate a new food business, or take over an existing business as the new food business operator, you will need to register the business.

All types of food business have a legal requirement to register at least 28 days before opening. It is free to register the business. Once you have registered with us, as long as you can produce food safely, you can start trading. You do not have to wait until you have been inspected.

Approved food premises

Certain types of food businesses that produce dairy products, meat products, fishery products, egg products, minced meat or meat preparation may require a different type of registration.

If you think that your new food business falls into this category, you must contact us as soon as possible – these food businesses must not start start trading until we have approved them.

The public register

There is a public register for this licence, which is available to view on request. Please contact us for more information.

In this section:

  1. You are here: How to register your food business How to register your food business
  2. You are here: Approved food premises Approved food premises
  3. You are here: The public register The public register