Guide

Food business registration

Register your food business with your local authority before starting operations.

Retail & Consumer GoodsFood, Drink & Hospitality UK-wide

All food businesses in the UK must register with their local authority's environmental health department at least 28 days before starting to trade. Registration is free and cannot be refused — it is a notification, not a licence.

This applies to a much wider range of businesses than many people realise. If you handle, prepare, store, or sell food as part of your business, you almost certainly need to register.

Who must register

You must register if you carry on a food business at any fixed premises (even temporarily). This includes:

  • Restaurants, cafes, pubs, and takeaways
  • Hotels and guest houses
  • Supermarkets, shops, and market stalls
  • Home-based food businesses — cake makers, caterers, preserves, dog treat makers
  • Food delivery businesses and dark kitchens
  • Childminders providing food to children
  • Community and village hall kitchens used for events
  • Mobile food vans and trailers (register with the authority where your vehicle is usually kept)
  • Vending machine operators

You do not need to register if you are only selling pre-packed food you did not prepare, or if you occasionally prepare food for charity events (though best practice is to register anyway).

Registration vs approval

Most food businesses only need registration (a simple notification). However, some businesses handling higher-risk products need approval from their local authority before they can operate. Approved premises receive an identification mark.

Businesses that need approval include:

  • Manufacturers and processors of meat, fish, shellfish, dairy, eggs, or gelatine
  • Cold stores and wholesale markets handling products of animal origin
  • Any business placing products of animal origin on the market that another business then processes

If you only sell directly to final consumers (e.g. a butcher's shop, fishmonger, or deli), you generally only need registration, not approval — even if you handle raw meat. The approval requirement applies to businesses in the supply chain before the final consumer.

Registration deadline
At least 28 days before opening
Cost
Free (registration cannot be refused)
Regulator
Local Authority Environmental Health
Legal basis
Food Safety Act 1990, Regulation (EC) 852/2004 (retained EU law)
New premises or change of operator
Must re-register whenever the food business operator changes, even at the same premises
Each premises separately
Register each premises separately — a central office registration does not cover branch locations

What happens after registration

After you register, your local authority will arrange an inspection. The timing depends on the risk level of your business and local authority resources.

The inspection covers three areas:

  • Hygiene: How you prepare, cook, reheat, cool, and store food. Your cleaning methods, hand washing facilities, and pest control.
  • Structure: The condition of your premises, equipment, lighting, ventilation, and facilities (sinks, toilets, changing areas).
  • Management: Your food safety management system (HACCP or SFBB), staff training records, temperature monitoring logs, and traceability records.

In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the inspector will give you a Food Hygiene Rating from 0 (urgent improvement necessary) to 5 (very good). In Scotland, the Pass/Improvement Required scheme applies instead.

Penalties for not registering

Operating a food business without registering is a criminal offence under the Food Safety Act 1990. The penalties are:

  • On summary conviction: an unlimited fine (magistrates' court)
  • The local authority can also serve a hygiene improvement notice or, in serious cases, a hygiene emergency prohibition notice closing your premises immediately
  • An unregistered business will not have a Food Hygiene Rating, which may deter customers and breach platform requirements (Deliveroo, Just Eat, and Uber Eats all require valid registration)

If a local authority discovers you are operating without registration, they will typically require immediate registration and may fast-track an inspection.

  1. Find your local authority

    Use the GOV.UK postcode search or the FSA food business registration tool to find your local council's environmental health team.

  2. Complete the registration form

    Provide your business name and address, type of food business, nature of food activities (preparation, cooking, storage, distribution), and operator contact details.

  3. Register at least 28 days before opening

    Submit your registration online or by post to your local authority at least 28 days before you start trading. Registration cannot be refused.

  4. Set up your food safety management system

    Before your first inspection, have a HACCP-based food safety management system in place. Most small businesses can use the free Safer Food, Better Business (SFBB) pack from the FSA.

  5. Prepare for your first inspection

    Ensure premises are clean and maintained, staff have food hygiene training, temperature records are being kept, and your SFBB diary is up to date.

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