Approval of product specific premises

If a food business manufacturers/produces meat products, dairy products, fish products or minced meat or meat preparations, and amongst its customers it serves retailers, then that business may need to be 'approved' by the Local Authority.  Licensing of premises such as meat cutting plants, cold stores, and abattoirs is dealt with by the Meat Hygiene Service. They can be contacted on telephone: 02920 825549.

The question of whether or not an approval is necessary is often extremely complex.  For further information please contact the Commercial Team in Environmental Health and Trading Standards on:

Tel: 01432 261761
Fax: 01432 261982
Email: info@herefordshire.gov.uk

If you wish to apply for 'approval' you can complete the form online, use the link in the apply online section below, or you can download and print this form found in the document box at the bottom of the page and send to the following address:

Commercial Team
Environmental Health and Trading Standards
PO Box 233
Hereford
HR1 2ZF

Licence Summary	If you operate food premises you may need to be approved by your local authority. Examples of types of premises that are required to be approved by local authorities are: stand alone (i.e. not attached to a slaughter house) cutting plants or game handling establishments meat processing plants meat preparation plants minced meat processing operations and mechanically separated meat processing plants cold stores You should contact you local authority to see if you require approval.
Eligibility Criteria	No provision in legislation.
Regulation Summary	A summary of the regulations relating to this licence (food of animal origin) A summary of the regulations relating to this licence (hygiene of foodstuffs)
Application Evaluation Process	No provision in legislation.
Will Tacit Consent Apply?	No - it is in the public interest that the authority must process your application before it can be granted and you should wait to receive an 'approval' number. If you have not heard from the us after 20 days, please contact us. You can do this online if you applied through the UK Welcomes service or use the contact details above.
Apply online	Apply for approved food premises Tell us about a change to your existing food premises approval
Failed Application Redress	Please contact your Local Authority in the first instance, see the contact details box at the top right of the page.
Licence Holder Redress	Please contact your Local Authority in the first instance, see the contact details box at the top right of the page.
Consumer Complaint	We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the trader by you - preferably in the form of a letter (with proof of delivery). If that has not worked, if you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.
Other Redress	An approval can be withdrawn in circumstances where the food business operator is unable to satisfy the Food Authority that the identified deficiencies will be rectified, and an acceptable standard will be maintained in the future.
Trade Associations	National Association of Catering Butchers (NACB) National Federation of Meat and Food Traders