To store, prepare, distribute or sell food on premises you need to register with us. If you are starting a new food business you must register with us at least 28 days before opening.
Food premises include:
- Restaurants
- Cafes
- Hotels
- Shops
- Canteens
- Market stalls
- Mobile catering vans
- Food delivery vans
Registration allows us to list all the premises in our area so we can visit them for inspections. However, certain premises are exempt, such as those which are already registered for food law purposes, certain agricultural premises, motor cars, some domestic premises and some village halls.
Report the closure of a food business
To report the closure of a food business use the report food business closure form.
More information about starting a food business
Visit the Food Standards Agency website to find out more about starting a food business and the regulations relating to food.
We produce a guide to food hygiene training in Herefordshire and there are also a range of Safer food, better business packs and tools like myHACCP to help your business adhere to food safety and hygiene standards.
You can also find an online training course for allergies on the Food Standards Agency website.
Food premises approval
If your business manufactures or produces meat products, dairy products, fish products or minced meat or meat preparations, and you serve other food businesses, then your business may need to be approved by us.
Apply for food premises approval
Examples of types of premises that are required to be approved are:
- Stand alone (for example 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
The question of whether or not an approval is necessary is often extremely complex. You can find the legislation on the Approved food establishments page on the Food Standards Agency website.