Registering a Food Business
If you run a food business or a planning to start a new food business you must tell the local authority where your food business is located.
You must tell them about any premises that you use for storing, selling, distributing or preparing food.
Food premises/business includes any organisation selling food which includes drinks.
This would include, pubs and social clubs (even if you only serve alcohol and soft drinks), restaurants, hotels, cafes, retail shops, supermarkets, staff canteens, warehouses, guest houses/bed & breakfasts, mobile catering vehicles and ice-cream vans etc.
Mobile vehicles must be registered at the address where the vehicle is stored overnight.
If you have more than one vehicle stored at the same address you need to register each vehicle separately.
Register
If you are planning to start a new business in the Mid and East Antrim area you must register with the council at least 28 days before the business is due to commence trading.
The registration is a simple online process using the Register a Food Business page on the Gov.UK website.
We are currently involved in a Food Standards Agency pilot for online registration of food businesses.
We are encouraging all new businesses to use the online form, if you are unable to register this way please contact us at the details below.
There is no charge for food registration and registration cannot be refused by a local authority.
Once you have completed and submitted your online form, your details will be entered into our database.
Local authorities have to keep a record of all food premises that are registered with them.
Your registration form will be acknowledged by email and a member of the Business Support and Improvement Team will then be in contact with you.
You must notify the local authority if there are any changes to your food business, such as a new food business operator or you stop trading.
You can get more information about opening new food premises by contacting us at the details below.
Contact us
If you would like further information on this page please contact the Business Support and Improvement team at:
E: food@midandeastantrim.gov.uk
T: 028 2563 3123