Setting up a food business can be a daunting task, with a wide range of legislation that must be complied with if you are not to fall foul of the law.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) hold a lot of relevant information on their website, including how to set up a food business and how to register your food business with the local authority
Some key elements are as follows:
Food Establishment Registration
If you are setting up a food business you must register it with us at least 28 days before you begin serving food.
There is no charge and the registration cannot be refused. Once registered it is not necessary to re-register, unless there is a significant change in the business (such as a name change, or change of food business operator).
Apply to Register a Food Business Establishment
Food Businesses Producing Food of Animal Origin
Certain businesses must be approved by the Council to produce and sell foods of animal origin to other businesses.
These products include meat products, minced meat and meat preparations, dairy products, fishery products and egg products. If you need to be approved you do not have to register, but please complete an Application for Approval of a Food Business form.
A series of meat-related guidance notes are available from the Food Standards Agency
Food Hygiene Training
All food handlers must be trained commensurate to their work activities. The usual way for food handlers to be trained is to gain a Level 2 Award in Food Hygiene. Food business operators are also required to receive adequate training in the application of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP).
The Council offers a number of Food Hygiene Training courses
Remember that you are not obliged to train with the Council, as many other bodies offer appropriate training.
Documented Food Safety Management System
The Food Standards Agency has introduced 'Safer Food, Better Business' - which is designed to enable smaller food businesses to comply with the hazard analysis requirement.
Find out more information about Safer Food Better Business on the Food Standards Agency
The Food Standards Agency has also issued guidance for food businesses on the steps the need to take to control the risk of E Coli
Mobile Food Businesses
Legally, mobile food businesses must register with the local authority which covers the address where the vehicle or trailer is normally kept. This means that a mobile business registered with the Council may not trade in the district, but if it is normally kept here it will need to be registered with us.
If you plan to trade in the Daventry district you will need to apply for street trading consent
Other Types of Food Business
There are certain types of food business that are not dealt with by the Council. These include slaughterhouses and meat cutting plants. These premises must be approved by the Food Standards Agency
