Food business registration
Registration of premises used for a food business (including market stalls, delivery vehicles other mobile structures) is required by law (Article 6(2) Regulation 852/2004) - GOV.UK.
Registration will allow local authorities to keep an up-to-date list of all those premises in their area so they can visit them when they need to, the frequency of the visits will depend on the type of business.
Register requirements
If you run a food business (as defined in Regulation 178/2002 - GOV.UK) you must tell (or arrange for someone else to tell) the local authority about any premises you use for the storage, sale, distribution, brokering, production or preparation of food.
Food premises, whether or not they are operated for profit, include:
- 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
Anyone starting a new food business must register with the local authority at least 28 days before doing so.
The majority of premises will have to be registered - however, certain premises are exempt from registration for example some which are already registered for food law purposes including:
- agricultural premises
- motor cars
- tents and marquees (but not stalls)
- some domestic premises
- some village halls
You should contact us if you think you might be exempt.
Advice
Before you register, learn how to get started for advice on setting up a food business.
If you use vehicles for your food business in connection with permanent premises such as a shop or warehouse, you only need to tell us 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 us where they are normally kept.
Certain premises do not require registration but we must still approve them. These premises are known as product specific premises and they produce products of animal origin, such as:
- pasteurised milk
- cooked meats
- meat or fish based ready meals
If you think your business may fall into this category, contact us for advice and use the application form to either:
- approve a food business establishment
- change a food premises approval
Registering
You must register even if you are not running the business for profit.
You must register with us at least 28 days before doing starting the business. We cannot refuse registration and there is no charge.
Your details will be kept on our register. Only the address and type of business at that address will be available to the public.
Once you have registered you must inform us if there are any changes to the ownership or nature of the business, or if the address at which a moveable premises is kept, changes.
These notes are provided for information only and should not be regarded as a complete statement of law
If you have any questions and would like someone to contact you then fill in the online enquiry form below. We will try to contact you within three working days.
Apply
To register a food business in Luton, complete the application form on the government website.
Contact
For more information, contact our Business and Consumer Service.
Phone: 01582 510330
Luton Council
Town Hall
George Street
Luton
LU1 2BQ