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To store, prepare, distribute or sell food on premises you need to be registered with the local authority. Premises include restaurants, cafes, hotels, shops, canteens, market stalls, mobile catering vans and food delivery vans.
However some manufacturers handling products of animal origin may need to be approved by the local authority or the Meat Hygiene Service, rather than registered. If you are uncertain whether your business needs to be approved or registered, contact us via the details below.
It is a legal requirement to register your food business with the council. However if you operate food premises that handles food of animal origin that is supplied on to another business, you may need to be approved.
Certain type of food premises, generally manufacturers of products of animal origin, such as dairies, meat product manufacturers or wholesale fish markets are subject to formal premises approval. This is a requirement of European Community Directive 853/2004.
These types of premises are required by law to be approved by the local authority and generally their products must display a health mark or be accompanied by a health certificate. Each local authority in the country (and places across the EU) has a unique code which ensures that the origin of the food can always be established.
Once approved, details of the premises together with information relating to types of foods produced are forwarded to Food Standards Agency to be kept on a central EU register.
Approval will be required before starting the business and must be applied for well in advance of your proposed start date. You are advised to contact us for advice prior to completing the application form.
Apply Online
- Application for Food Premises Approval (opens in a new window)
- Make a change to a Food Premises Approval (opens in a new window)
Contact Us
Environmental Health
Merlin House
Merlin Way
Ilkeston
Derbyshire
DE7 4RA
Tel: 0845 907 2244 ext 3820
