Setting up a Food Business
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Setting up a food business can be a daunting task, with a wide range of legislation that must be complied with if you are not to fall foul of the law.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) have produced a booklet entitled 'Starting up - Your first steps to running a catering business' which can be downloaded by clicking the link. A summary of food hygiene law is also available on this website.
Food Establishment Registration
All food business establishments are legally obliged to register with their local authority before opening.
There is no charge and the registration cannot be refused. Once registered it is not necessary to reregister, unless there is a significant change in the business (such as a name change, or change of food business operator).
If your business is to be located within the City of Leicester, click the link to register your food business online.
Food Businesses Producing Food of Animal Origin
Certain businesses must be approved by Leicester City Council to produce and sell foods of animal origin to other businesses. These products include meat products, minced meat and meat preparations, dairy products, fishery products and egg products. If you need to be approved you do not have to register, but must apply for approval. Download an application for approval here.
Certain businesses must be approved by Leicester City Council to produce and sell foods of animal origin to other businesses. These products include meat products, minced meat and meat preparations, dairy products, fishery products and egg products. If you need to be approved you do not have to register, but must apply for approval. Download an application for approval here.
To find out more information about producing food of animal origin please click here.
Food Hygiene Training
All food handlers must be trained commensurate to their work activities. The usual way for food handlers to be trained is to gain a Level 2 Certificate in Food Hygiene (formally a Basic Food Hygiene Certificate). Food business operators are also required to receive adequate training in the application of HACCP.
All food handlers must be trained commensurate to their work activities. The usual way for food handlers to be trained is to gain a Level 2 Certificate in Food Hygiene (formally a Basic Food Hygiene Certificate). Food business operators are also required to receive adequate training in the application of HACCP.
Leicester City Council offers a number of food hygiene training courses. Click here to find out more.
Remember that you are not obliged to train with the City Council and many other bodies offer training. Visit the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health website to find a course that suits you.
Mobile Food Businesses
Legally, mobile food businesses must register with the local authority the address where the vehicle or trailer is normally kept. This means that a mobile business registered with Leicester City Council may not trade in the City, but if it is normally kept here it will need to be registered with us.
If you plan to trade in the City you will need to apply for street trading consent. contact the Licensing and Street Trading Team on 0116 252 8555 or click the link to find out more about Street Trading Licenses.
Other Types of Food Business
There are certain types of food business that are not dealt with by Leicester City Council. These include slaughterhouses and meat cutting plants. These premises must be approved by the Food Standards Agency. To apply for approval, or for further advice, contact the Veterinary Meat Hygiene Advisory Service on (024) 76632026.
Further Information
To find out about planning issues please contact the Development Control Group on (0116) 252 7249 or browse to their webpages.
Information about health and safety at work is available here.
If you require advice about labelling, weights and measures or food quality please contact the Consumer Protection Service (Trading Standards) on (0116) 252 6577 or browse to their webpages.