General Food Hygiene: Registration and Approval of Food Businesses

Food business operators are under a duty to cooperate with food authorities and, in particular, every food business operator must notify the appropriate food authority with details of each establishment under its control that carries out any of the stages of production, processing and distribution of food. This must be done in the way prescribed to register each establishment.

Food business operators must also ensure that the appropriate food authority always has up-to-date information on establishments, which includes the notification of any significant change in activities and any closure of an existing establishment.

Establishments that are subject to approval under Regulation (EC) 853/2004, which lays down specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin, or which fall within the provisions of Article 1(2)(c) of Regulation (EC) 852/2004, which allows 'small quantities' of direct sales of primary products to take place outside the framework of hygiene regulations, are not required to register.

Registration ensures that food authorities know where food businesses are located and the nature of the activities undertaken on those premises making it possible for inspections to take place as may be required.