Starting a Food Business and Registration
When starting and running a food business, it is important to consider and abide by legal requirements. At Watford, we believe that by setting up in the right way and accessing the right information, creates a basis for a successful business, whilst protecting your reputation.
A food business is a business that stores, prepares, distributes, or sells food, including market stalls, delivery vehicles, mobile and home caterers. When you start up or take over a food business, you must register the business.
Please also visit our Food Hygiene Rules page for more information and useful links.
Registering
Registering your food business is free. You can apply to register your food business online. You must ensure that you have registered your business at least 28 days before opening.
Before starting a food businesses, we recommend that you visit the Food Standards Agency webpage about starting a food business. Registering your food business will trigger a food hygiene inspection. To find out more information about food hygiene inspections, please visit our food hygiene ratings and inspections page.
We are committed to help all our food businesses succeed. Visit our Food Business support page to find out about the advice and services we can provide, to help make a success of your business.
Approvals
If your businesses manufactures or processes meat, meat products (including mincemeats), fish, or dairy products, you must gain approval before beginning to operate. If you are unsure if your business requires approval, please contact us to discuss the matter.
