Food Premises Registration
The legal notification that most UK food businesses must submit to their local authority at least 28 days before they start trading.
Food premises registration is the legal process of telling your local authority that you operate, or intend to operate, a food business from a premises, home kitchen, mobile unit, stall, online business, or other regular operating base. Most UK food businesses must register at least 28 days before they start trading. Registration is free and is not the same as approval, licensing, a hygiene rating, or permission to ignore food safety duties. It simply puts the business on the local authority register so Environmental Health Officers know the business exists and can inspect it.
Key Points
- Registration is a legal requirement - at least 28 days before starting to trade
- Registration is free and is separate from inspection, approval, licensing, and your food hygiene rating
- Each premises requires separate registration
- Registration triggers your first EHO food hygiene inspection
- Some animal-product operations may need approval before trading
- Taking over an existing business requires new registration
Who Needs to Register
Registration applies to businesses that sell food, cook food, store or handle food, prepare food, distribute food, sell food online, or supply food on a regular and organised basis. This includes restaurants, cafes, takeaways, pubs serving food, hotels, caterers, market stalls, food trucks, home-based food businesses, dark kitchens, meal prep businesses, online sellers, and offices involved in food distribution or brokerage. Each premises or regular operating base normally needs separate registration. If you take over an existing business, the previous owner's registration does not transfer.
How to Register
Registration is submitted to the local authority for the premises or operating base, usually through GOV.UK or the council website. The form asks for the food business operator, business name, address, activity type, and intended trading date. Registration must be submitted at least 28 days before trading. Keep the submission confirmation with your compliance documents. If you trade from multiple premises or operate mobile units from different bases, check with the relevant councils how each location should be registered.
Registration vs Approval
Most food businesses need registration only. Some establishments need formal approval instead of, or in addition to, registration. Approval is relevant to certain businesses handling products of animal origin, such as meat, fish, eggs, dairy, or processed animal products, particularly where they supply other businesses. Approval can require a more detailed application and may need to be granted before operations begin. If your business manufactures, processes, cuts, packs, or wholesales animal products, ask your local authority before you start trading.
After Registration
After registration, the local authority enters the business on its register and decides when to inspect based on risk and local capacity. Your first Environmental Health Officer inspection will assess food handling, premises condition, and confidence in management. Registration does not give you a food hygiene rating; the rating comes after inspection. You must notify the authority if the operator changes, the business moves, significant food activities change, or trading stops.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register my food business?
Use GOV.UK or your local authority website to submit the registration form. You need to provide operator details, premises address, food activities, and intended start date. Registration is free and must be submitted at least 28 days before trading.
Do I need to register a home-based food business?
Yes. If you operate a food business from home - whether selling cakes, preserves, ready meals, or any other food - you must register with your local authority. The same registration requirements apply as for any other food business. Your home kitchen will be subject to inspection and must meet food hygiene standards.
What happens if I do not register my food business?
Operating a food business without registration is a criminal offence. You could face prosecution, fines, and potentially a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice that prevents you from operating. There is no reason not to register - it is free and cannot be refused. Non-registration also means you will not have a food hygiene rating, which can deter customers.
Is food premises registration the same as approval?
No. Registration is the standard notification process for most food businesses. Approval is a separate process for certain establishments handling products of animal origin, particularly where they supply other businesses. If approval applies, you may need it before operating.
Ready to simplify your compliance?
Start your free 14-day trial and see how Paddl makes food safety management effortless.