Getting ready to start your food business

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<div class="content-layout__left"> <div class="sticky-sidebar__wrapper"> <div class="sticky-sidebar"> <div class="sticky-sidebar__content-item"> <nav class="table-of-contents" aria-label="in-this-guide"> <div class="table-of-contents__title"> <h2 class="table-of-contents__title--heading">IN THIS GUIDE</h2> <button class="table-of-contents__title--button" aria-expanded="false"> IN THIS GUIDE <span class="table-of-contents__arrow"></span> </button> <a href="#" class="table-of-contents__skip"> In this guide </a> </div> <ol class="table-of-contents__list"> <li class="table-of-contents__list-item"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/getting-ready-to-start-your-food-business" class="table-of-contents__link">Getting ready to start your food business </a> </li> <li class="table-of-contents__list-item"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/starting-your-food-business-safely" class="table-of-contents__link">Starting your food business safely</a> </li> <li class="table-of-contents__list-item"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/setting-up-your-food-business-premises" class="table-of-contents__link">Setting up your food business premises</a> </li> <li class="table-of-contents__list-item"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/starting-a-food-business-from-your-home" class="table-of-contents__link">Starting a food business from your home</a> </li> <li class="table-of-contents__list-item"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/preparing-for-your-first-food-hygiene-inspection" class="table-of-contents__link">Preparing for your first food hygiene inspection </a> </li> <li class="table-of-contents__list-item"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/selling-food-for-delivery" class="table-of-contents__link">Selling food for delivery</a> </li> <li class="table-of-contents__list-item"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/changing-your-business-operating-model" class="table-of-contents__link">Changing your business operating model</a> </li> <li class="table-of-contents__list-item"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/additional-help-and-support" class="table-of-contents__link">Additional help and support</a> </li> </ol> </nav> </div> <div class="sticky-sidebar__content-item"> <nav class="table-of-contents" aria-label="on-this-page"> <div class="table-of-contents__title"> <h2 class="table-of-contents__title--heading">ON THIS PAGE</h2> <button class="table-of-contents__title--button" aria-expanded="false"> ON THIS PAGE <span class="table-of-contents__arrow"></span> </button> <a href="#" class="table-of-contents__skip"> On this page </a> </div> <ol class="table-of-contents__list"> <li class="table-of-contents__list-item"> <a href="#planning-before-you-start-your-food-business" class="table-of-contents__link">Planning before you start your food business</a> </li> <li class="table-of-contents__list-item"> <a href="#who-needs-to-register" class="table-of-contents__link">Who needs to register</a> </li> <li class="table-of-contents__list-item"> <a href="#guidance-on-how-to-register-your-food-business-with-your-local-authority" class="table-of-contents__link">Guidance on how to register your food business with your local authority</a> </li> <li class="table-of-contents__list-item"> <a href="#when-to-register" class="table-of-contents__link">When to register</a> </li> <li class="table-of-contents__list-item"> <a href="#registering-as-a-childminder" class="table-of-contents__link">Registering as a childminder</a> </li> <li class="table-of-contents__list-item"> <a href="#checklist-things-to-consider-before-starting-a-food-business" class="table-of-contents__link">Checklist: things to consider before starting a food business</a> </li> </ol> </nav> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="content-layout__top-desktop"> <div class="article-hero__toolbar"> <div class="article-hero__toolbar__last-updated-container"> <div class="article-hero__toolbar__last-updated"> Last updated: 8 March 2024 </div> <a class="article-hero__toolbar__revision-log" href="#revision-log">See all updates</a> </div> <div class="article-hero__toolbar__buttons"> <div class="pdf-and-print-buttons"> <div class="pdf-and-print-buttons__button pdf-and-print-buttons__button--pdf"> <a href="/print/pdf/node/14206" target=”_blank”> <div class="pdf-and-print-buttons__text-wrapper"> View<span class="visually-hidden"> </span> as PDF<span class="visually-hidden">(Opens in a new window)</span> </div> </a> </div> <div class="pdf-and-print-buttons__button pdf-and-print-buttons__button--print"> <button> <div class="pdf-and-print-buttons__text-wrapper"> Print this page </div> </button> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="content-layout__right"> <a id="toc-skip-to" tabindex="-1"></a> <div class="content-layout__right-content"> <div class="text-block" lang=en> <h2 id="planning-before-you-start-your-food-business">Planning before you start your food business</h2> <p>Before starting a food business, you must take time to plan and prepare. Doing so will give you the best opportunity to run your food business safely.</p> <p>Further guidance can be found in our <a href="#checklist-things-to-consider-before-starting-a-food-business">'things to consider before starting a food business' checklist</a> on this page. </p> <h2 id="who-needs-to-register">Who needs to register</h2> <p>If you sell, cook, store, handle, prepare or distribute, you may be considered a food business and will need to <a data-doctype href="https://register.food.gov.uk/new">register with your local authority</a>.</p> <p>This includes food businesses trading: </p> <ul> <li>from physical customer-facing premises</li> <li>from home</li> <li>from a mobile unit or temporary premises</li> <li>online (for example via social media or a website) or through distance selling (distance selling means any selling that happens without face-to-face contact with the consumer)</li> </ul> <p>Registration will apply to all types of businesses who sell food and or drink, regardless of where you operate from. </p> <p>Companies involved with food distribution, brokerage or food supply that operate from an office should also register as a food business. This applies even if no food is kept at the premises.</p> <p>If you operate in more than one location, you need to register each premise with the local authority in which they are located. If you are unsure if you need to register or require further advice, please <a data-doctype data-entity-substitution="canonical" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="715ea2f7-8bdc-43d3-9356-1563f2e87b91" href="/contact/consumers/find-details/contact-a-local-food-safety-team" title="Contact a local food safety team ">contact your local authority</a> in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. </p> <h2 id="guidance-on-how-to-register-your-food-business-with-your-local-authority">Guidance on how to register your food business with your local authority</h2> <p>When you start a new food business, or take over an existing business, you must register with your local authority. You should do this at least 28 days before you start trading.</p> <p>Registration of your food business is free and can’t be refused. If you are already trading and have not registered yet, you need to register as soon as possible as this is a legal requirement.</p> <p>If you supply food regularly, for free or otherwise, to the public, then you need to register as a food business. </p> <p>Register your food business on the <a data-doctype href="https://register.food.gov.uk/new">food business registration portal</a>. </p> <p>Anyone who sells, cooks, stores, handles, prepares or distributes food for the public needs to register as a food business, however there are also other guidelines you need to follow to make sure you're running your business correctly. </p> <h2 id="when-to-register">When to register</h2> <p>You are required to register at least 28 days before trading. We recommend that you do not register too early, but that you wait until 28 days before you are ready to start your operations. <a data-doctype href="#checklist-things-to-consider-before-starting-a-food-business">Use our checklist</a> to make sure that you have considered everything before you register. </p> <p>If you cease trading at any point, you need to <a data-doctype data-entity-substitution="canonical" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="715ea2f7-8bdc-43d3-9356-1563f2e87b91" href="/contact/consumers/find-details/contact-a-local-food-safety-team" title="Contact a local food safety team ">inform your local authority</a>.</p> <h3 id="selling-food-from-customer-facing-premises">Selling food from customer-facing premises</h3> <p>If you are trading from physical customer-facing premises, please make sure you also read our guidance on and <a data-entity-substitution="canonical" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="ca72e0ee-26fc-4f7c-a8d4-83e6e29e44d8" href="/business-guidance/setting-up-your-food-business-premises" title="Setting up your food business premises">setting up your food business premises</a>. You may also want to read our guidance on <a data-entity-substitution="canonical" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="7403d1cc-42ed-48b5-b716-1a325c457999" href="/business-guidance/selling-food-for-delivery" title="Selling food for delivery">selling food for delivery</a>. </p> <h3 id="selling-food-from-home">Selling food from home</h3> <p>If you are trading from home, please make sure you read our guidance on <a data-entity-substitution="canonical" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="6308c6cc-e096-4fa0-94a9-84746d661c2f" href="/business-guidance/starting-your-food-business-safely" title="Starting your food business safely">starting a food business safely</a> and <a data-entity-substitution="canonical" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="eb50920d-fb51-4152-9a30-597c2e4691e2" href="/business-guidance/starting-a-food-business-from-your-home" title="Starting a food business from your home">starting a food business from your home</a>.</p> <h3 id="selling-food-from-mobile-or-temporary-premises">Selling food from mobile or temporary premises</h3> <p>If you are trading from a mobile unit or temporary premises please make sure you also read our guidance on <a data-entity-substitution="canonical" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="6308c6cc-e096-4fa0-94a9-84746d661c2f" href="/business-guidance/starting-your-food-business-safely" title="Starting your food business safely">starting a food business safely</a> and <a data-entity-substitution="canonical" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="ca72e0ee-26fc-4f7c-a8d4-83e6e29e44d8" href="/business-guidance/setting-up-your-food-business-premises" title="Setting up your food business premises">setting up your food business premises</a>. </p> <h3 id="selling-food-online">Selling food online</h3> <p>If you are selling food online (for example via social media or a website) or through distance selling (distance selling means any selling that happens without face-to-face contact with the consumer) please read our guidance on <a data-entity-substitution="canonical" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="6308c6cc-e096-4fa0-94a9-84746d661c2f" href="/business-guidance/starting-your-food-business-safely" title="Starting your food business safely">starting a food business safely</a>, <a data-entity-substitution="canonical" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="ca72e0ee-26fc-4f7c-a8d4-83e6e29e44d8" href="/business-guidance/setting-up-your-food-business-premises" title="Setting up your food business premises">setting up your food business premises</a> and <a data-entity-substitution="canonical" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="7403d1cc-42ed-48b5-b716-1a325c457999" href="/business-guidance/selling-food-for-delivery" title="Selling food for delivery">selling food for delivery</a>. </p> <h2 id="registering-as-a-childminder">Registering as a childminder</h2> <p>If you provide food with your childminding business in England, the details you provide to <a data-doctype href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/childminders-and-childcare-providers-register-with-ofsted/childminders-and-childcare-on-domestic-premises-registration">Ofsted</a> or your <a data-doctype href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/childminder-agencies-list-of-agencies/list-of-childminder-agencies">childminder agency</a> will also be used to register you as a food business with your local authority. You will not have to register separately.</p> <p>You must comply with food safety and hygiene regulations if you provide food and drink for children or babies including:</p> <ul> <li>meals</li> <li>snacks</li> <li>drinks (apart from mains tap water)</li> <li>reheated food provided by a parent/carer</li> <li>food that you cut up and prepare</li> </ul> <p>Childminder registration requirements differ in Wales and Northern Ireland if you provide food with your childminding business. Contact your local authority for more information.</p> <p>You can find more information on food safety management for registered childminders or childcarers in our <a data-doctype data-entity-substitution="canonical" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="2c90b8fb-3d35-4147-9e3b-5d53a71c8a5c" href="/business-guidance/safer-food-better-business-for-childminders" title="Safer food, better business for childminders ">Safer Food Better Business Pack</a>.</p> <h2 id="checklist-things-to-consider-before-starting-a-food-business">Checklist: things to consider before starting a food business<a id="checklist" name="checklist"></a></h2> <section class="document-download document-download--multi"> <h3 class="document-download__region">England, Northern Ireland and Wales</h3> <div class="document-download__content document-download__content--with-region"> <span class="document-download__format document-download__format--word" aria-hidden="true">WORD</span> <div class="document-download__link-wrapper"> <a lang="en" href="https://www.food.gov.uk/sites/default/files/media/document/Starting%20your%20food%20business%20safely%20checklist_0.docx" class="document-download__link" target="_blank"><span class="visually-hidden">View </span>Starting your food business safely checklist_0.docx<span class="visually-hidden"> as Word(Open in a new window)</span></a> <span class="document-downdload__size">(95.96 KB)</span> </div> </div> </section> <h3 id="planning">Planning</h3> <p>Having a business plan is important to running a successful food business. <a data-doctype href="https://www.gov.uk/write-business-plan">Further guidance</a> on how to write a business plan, including examples of business plans are available online.</p> <h3 id="registration">Registration </h3> <p>Once you are ready to start your food business, you must <a data-doctype href="https://register.food.gov.uk/new">register</a> with your local authority at least 28 days before you begin trading.</p> <h3 id="permissions">Permissions </h3> <p>If you are running your business from home, there are <a data-doctype href="https://www.gov.uk/run-business-from-home">certain requirements</a> that need to be met. For more information go to our guidance on <a data-doctype href="https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/starting-a-food-business-from-your-home">starting a food business from home</a>.</p> <h3 id="register-as-self-employed">Register as self employed </h3> <p>If you are starting a food business, you need to inform <a data-doctype href="https://www.gov.uk/working-for-yourself">HMRC</a> that you are self-employed. To get more advice on the financial aspects of becoming a food business owner, head to our <a data-entity-substitution="canonical" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="ecac4d6a-bcd0-4e77-9416-edf3dd659d78" href="/business-guidance/additional-help-and-support" title="Additional help and support">additional help and support</a>. </p> <h3 id="set-up-food-safety-procedures">Set up food safety procedures</h3> <p>Food businesses must have food safety management procedures in place. Read our guidance on <a data-doctype href="https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/starting-your-food-business-safely">starting your food business safely</a>.</p> <h3 id="consider-food-safety-training">Consider food safety training</h3> <p>It is important to demonstrate the highest standards of food preparation, handling, storage and serving. For more information read our guidance on <a data-doctype href="https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/starting-your-food-business-safely">starting your food business safely</a>.</p> <h3 id="practice-good-food-hygiene">Practice good food hygiene</h3> <p>Good food hygiene is essential to make sure that the food you serve is safe to eat. For more information read our guidance on <a data-doctype href="https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/starting-your-food-business-safely">starting your food business safely.</a></p> <h3 id="prepare-your-premises-to-run-a-food-business">Prepare your premises to run a food business</h3> <p>Your food business premises, which could be your home, must be kept clean and maintained in good repair and condition. For more information read our guidance on <a data-entity-substitution="canonical" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="ca72e0ee-26fc-4f7c-a8d4-83e6e29e44d8" href="/business-guidance/setting-up-your-food-business-premises" title="Setting up your food business premises">setting up your food business premises</a>.</p> <h3 id="selling-food-online-and-delivering-it-safely">Selling food online and delivering it safely </h3> <p>You must ensure that all food is delivered to consumers in a way that ensures that it does not become unsafe or unfit to eat. More information on safe delivery can be found in <a data-entity-substitution="canonical" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="7403d1cc-42ed-48b5-b716-1a325c457999" href="/business-guidance/selling-food-for-delivery" title="Selling food for delivery ">selling food for delivery.</a></p> <h3 id="provide-allergen-information-and-follow-labelling-rules">Provide allergen information and follow labelling rules </h3> <p>Food businesses of all sizes are required to provide allergen information and follow labelling rules as set out in food law. More information on allergen management can be found in our guidance on <a data-doctype href="https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/starting-your-food-business-safely">starting your food business safely</a>.</p> <p>Was the information on this page helpful? <a data-doctype href="https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=-VAcircBikym-pDrkG8Y6ehhYsEtvvpKlpvTUnKE63BURTNUV1M5VzFZUzNTWFpOSEZTNjQ2WFJNQS4u">Give us your feedback.</a></p> </div> <div class="revision-log revision-log--closed" id="revision-log" role="complementary"> <div class="revision-log__control"> <h3 class="revision-log__heading"> Revision log </h3> <div class="revision-log__toggle"> <button class="revision-log__toggle-button revision-log__toggle-button-hide" aria-hidden="false">Hide all updates</button> <button class="revision-log__toggle-button revision-log__toggle-button-show" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Show all updates</button> </div> </div> <div class="revision-log__dates"> <p>Published: 10 January 2023</p> <p>Last updated: 14 November 2024</p> </div> <ul class="revision-log__link-list" aria-hidden="true"> <li class="revision-log__link-list__item" id="261756"> <strong class="revision-log__link-list__item-date">8 March 2024</strong> <span class="revision-log__link-list__item-text">Replaced overview with planning and amended 'who needs to register'. Replacing links with nodes</span> </li> <li class="revision-log__link-list__item" id="196131"> <strong class="revision-log__link-list__item-date">3 April 2023</strong> <span class="revision-log__link-list__item-text">FIxing FSA box-out issue</span> </li> <li class="revision-log__link-list__item" id="194351"> <strong class="revision-log__link-list__item-date">27 March 2023</strong> <span class="revision-log__link-list__item-text">Added link to MS form for feedback. </span> </li> <li class="revision-log__link-list__item" id="186266"> <strong class="revision-log__link-list__item-date">20 February 2023</strong> <span class="revision-log__link-list__item-text">Added a line on what to do if you cease trading. </span> </li> <li class="revision-log__link-list__item" id="185071"> <strong class="revision-log__link-list__item-date">14 February 2023</strong> <span class="revision-log__link-list__item-text">Added 'when to register' section.</span> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="back-to-top"> <a href="#return-to-top" class="back-to-top__link" data-fsa-at="back-to-top">Back to top</a> </div> <nav class="multipage-guide-pagination"> <ul class="multipage-guide-pagination__list multipage-guide-pagination__offset"> <li class="multipage-guide-pagination__next"> <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/starting-your-food-business-safely" data-fsa-at="multipage-guide-pagination-next"> <span class="multipage-guide-pagination__label">Next</span> <p class="multipage-guide-pagination__type">2. 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Getting ready to start your food business | Food Standards Agency