Setting Up a Food Business
I’m a New Business – Where do I Start?
What Food Safety Legislation Will I Need to Comply With?
Food Safety Act 1990
The Food Safety (General Food Hygiene) Regulations 1995
Food Safety (Temperature Control) Regulations 1995
What is Registration?
Who needs to register?
When do I register?
How do I register?
What will happen after I am registered?
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I’m a New Business – Where do I Start.?
Once you have selected a suitable premises you should check with the Planning Officer that the building has planning permission for the type of food premises you intend to open. If not, you will need to submit a planning application for change of use of the premises.
If you need to carry out any construction work or alterations you should check with the Building Control Officer whether you need building regulation consent.
You may also need to contact Trading Standards.
For further advice click here.
What Food Safety Legislation Will I Need to Comply With.?
Running a food business means that you have a responsibility to ensure that the food that you will be providing to your customers is safe and wholesome. Anyone who owns, manages or works in a food business should be aware of their legal responsibilities. The main legislation that you will need to be aware of is:
Food Safety Act 1990:
It is an offence to sell or possess food which is harmful to health, or contaminated to such an extent that it would be unreasonable to expect it to be eaten, or falsely described, advertised or presented, or not of the nature, substance or quality demanded by the purchaser.
The Food Safety (General Food Hygiene) Regulations 1995:
Businesses are required to ensure that they carry out their operations safely and hygienically. The main requirements relate to Hazard Analysis, Training, Practices and Premises.
Food Safety (Temperature Control) Regulations 1995:
Foods likely to support the growth of harmful bacteria are to be kept at or below 8°C or alternatively at or above 63°C.
What is Registration.?
Registration of a food business (including market stalls, delivery vehicles and other moveable structures) is required by law. Registration allows us to keep an up-to-date list of all those premises in our area so we can visit them when we need to. The frequency of the visits will depend on the type of business.
Who needs to register.?
If you run a food business for 5 or more days in any 5 consecutive weeks, you must tell the local authority about any premises you use for storing, selling, distributing or preparing food. Food premises includes restaurants, hotels, cafes, shops, supermarkets, staff canteens, kitchens in offices, warehouses, guest houses, delivery vehicles, buffet cars on trains, market and other stalls, hot dog and ice cream vans etc.
If you use vehicles for your food business in connection with permanent premises such as a shop or warehouse, you only need to tell the local authority how many vehicles you have. You do not need to register each vehicle separately. If you have one or more vehicles but no permanent premises you must tell the authority where they are normally kept.
When do I register.?
Anyone starting a new food business must register with the local authority at least 28 days before doing so.
How do I register.?
Complete the form at the end of this text and send it to Guildford Borough Council, marked for the attention of the Environmental Health Department. If you have any questions your local authority will help you. If you also have a premises in another local authority area you must register with them separately.
Application Form for Registration of Food Premises
What will happen after I am registered.?
When you apply for registration, an Environmental Health Officer will usually contact you in order to arrange for an inspection of your premises and to discuss details with you.