Any undertaking that:

• sells food
• cooks food
• stores or handle food
• prepares food
• distributes food 

Registration will apply to all types of food and drink businesses who sell food directly to the public, regardless of where they operate from. It includes businesses trading from home, a  mobile unit, or temporary premises such as a stall of van and applies if you only sell food or drink online.    

Companies involved with food distribution, brokerage or food supply that operate from an office should also register as a food business. This applies even if no food is kept at the premises.

• cafes
• restaurants
• pubs
• factories
• takeaways
• supermarkets
• market stalls
• hotels
• caterers
• shops
• market and other stalls
• schools
• ice cream vans
• distribution warehouses
• some community halls & charities 

• Approved food premises If you operate a food business which processes products of animal origin (meat, fish or dairy products), you may need to apply to be an approved food premises. 
• Food business that provide food on an in-frequent basis. For example some charities or community halls see the FSA Guidance on Charity and Community Food Provision 

When you start a new food business, or take over an existing business, you must register.  You should do this at least 28 days before you start trading. Registration of your food business is free and can’t be refused. If you are already trading and have not registered yet, you need to register as soon as possible as this is a legal requirement.

Please use the Food Business Registration Portal to register your business, it only takes a few minutes.

• Your details are entered onto our database and shared with the Food Standards Agency.  It may take up to 28 days from receipt of your completed food business registration for your business to appear on the Food Standards Agency website, as awaiting inspection. Whilst we appreciate that you maybe awaiting approval from on-line food delivery platforms such as 'just eat', 'deliveroo' or 'Lancaster eats', we cannot speed up the process. Please do not contact us before the 28 day period has passed.
• You will have a Food Hygiene Inspection. Within 28 days of your proposed opening date a Food Officer will inspect your premises. It is important that you keep us informed of any changes to your opening date. If you don’t keep us informed of any changes in your opening date and we are unable to inspect your premises within 28 days of your proposed opening date, we will cancel your food premises registration. . 

You should ensure that you are ready to trade safely. Why not visit our Staring a Food Business page for further advice?

Once you have registered you only need to notify us if there is a change in ownership, location of the business, a substantial change in activities or if you cease operating. You can notify us of changes by completing a new registration form using the Food Business Registration Portal