Food premises approval

Approved food establishments

Some food businesses require approval instead of registration. Approval may be required if you produce products of animal origin (meat, fish, dairy or eggs), and supply these to other food business establishments. This is a requirement of Retained Regulation 853/2004.

In general the following types of food business will require approval:

• food manufacturers producing products of animal origin
• standalone cold stores
• central production kitchens which supply caterers or retailers
• establishments that pack or wrap (or repack or re-wrap) products of animal origin such as meat fish dairy or egg products.

This is not an exhaustive list.

These types of premises are required by law to be approved by the local authority and generally their products must display a health mark or be accompanied by a health certificate. Each local authority has a unique code which ensures that the origin of the food can always be established.

The Food Standards Agency publishes a central register of approved establishments. View the list of approved food establishments on the GOV.UK website (external link).

What legislative requirements must be met?

Food premises that require approval must meet additional requirements above the general requirements for food premises as they usually involve more high risk operations. If your food premise requires approval you will need to meet the hygiene standards set out in the following regulations:

• Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 Hygiene of foodstuffs
• Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 Hygiene rules for food of animal origin

If any part of your business requires approval you will not be able to operate this part of your process until you have completed the application form and you have received confirmation of your conditional or full approval.

Supplying eggs

Additional rules apply when supplying eggs. More information can be found on our supplying eggs webpage.

Exemptions

There are a number of exemptions from the approval process which are briefly explained below.

If there is an element of retail involved in your business and you intend to supply any other retailers or caterers you may be exempt from approval if the supply of the food of animal origin is marginalised, localised and restricted.

• marginal: a small part of the establishments business meaning up to one quarter of the business in terms of food.
• localised: sale within the supplying establishments own county plus the greater of either the neighbouring county or counties or 30 miles/50 km from the boundary of the supplying establishment’s county.
• restricted: concerning only certain types of products being made or establishments being supplied.

Should your food business be exempt from the approval process then you will still need to register your food business with Surrey Heath Borough Council.

Cost

There is no cost for applying for this.

Apply

Please email the Environmental Health team for an application.

You must submit the application form with the necessary documentation. 

Once your application has been received an officer will be in contact with you and arrange to visit you at your premises. The officer will look in depth at your process and documentation and discuss any work you need to do in order to comply with the regulations.

If your business has achieved the required standards approval will be granted and you will be issued with a unique approval number which makes up part of the of the identification mark that you will need to apply to your products.

After you submit your application

Once your application has been received an officer will  contact you and arrange to visit your premises. The officer will look in depth at your process and documentation and discuss any work you need to do in order to comply with the regulations.

If your business has achieved the required standards approval will be granted and you will be issued with a unique approval number which makes up part of the of the identification mark that you will need to apply to your products.

If we refuse your application, you can appeal against our decision to the local magistrates' court.

If you change the type of products you produce or there is a change in ownership, please contact us.