Food Premises Approval

If a business makes, prepares or handles food of animal origin (e.g. meat, fish or dairy) for supply to other businesses, then that food business and its activities in most circumstances will require what is known as ‘approval’.

If your food premise requires approval, you will need to meet the hygiene standards set out in the following regulations:

• Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 Hygiene of foodstuffs
• Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 Hygiene rules for food of animal origin

You will need approval before you can operate.

Exemptions

If there is an element of retail involved in your business and you intend to supply to other retailers or caterers, you may be exempt from approval if the supply is:

• Marginal: a small part of the establishment’s business, meaning up to one quarter of the business in terms of food
• Localised: sale within the supplying establishment’s own county, plus the greater of either the neighbouring county/counties or 30 miles from the boundary of the supplying establishment’s county
• Restricted: concerning only certain types of products being made or establishments being supplied

If your food business is exempt from the approval process, you still need to register your food business.

Apply for food premises approval

Once your application has been received, we will visit your premises and provide guidance on how to meet with the regulations.

If your business meets the standards, you will be given approval and issued a unique approval number, which makes up part of the identification mark you need to apply to your products.

If you are unsure whether your intended business activity will require approval, please email env.health@molevalley.gov.uk.