Who needs to register as a food business
If you run a food business you must tell us about any premises you use for storing, selling, distributing or preparing food.
Food premises include
- restaurants
- shops
- supermarkets
- staff canteens
- warehouses
- delivery vehicles
- catering businesses run from home
- B&Bs
- mobile catering and temporary businesses marquees
- food stalls
- food pop ups
- distance selling
- mail order and food delivery, including food supplied online or through social media channels or marketplaces
- If you are already trading and have not registered yet, you need to register as soon as possible as this is a legal requirement
How to register a food business
Anyone starting a new food business must register with us at least 28 days before trading.
You can register a food premises online or phone us on 028 9244 7397.
Before registering please note that:
- registration is free of charge
- you do not need to wait for an Environmental Health Officer to contact you before you start your business however you may wish to seek advice from the Food Safety team who will be able to give you advice on the design of catering premises and food safety
- if you wish to trade on the street you need permission from us before you start operating. Please visit our street trading page
- if the premises is new or if you are altering existing premises you may need planning permission and Building Control approval
- if you use premises in more than one council area, you must register with each separately
Change in circumstance at your food business
Once you have registered, you must notify us of any changes to the activity stated on the form within 28 days of the changes happening.
For example:
- change of proprietor (the new proprietor will have to register with us)
- if the nature of the business changes
- if there is a change of the address at which movable premises are kept