If you intend to set up a food business as a caterer, food retail outlet, home caterer, selling food and drink directly to the public, etc. then you would normally be registered as a food business establishment. Your food business does not require approval.
However, if you use unprocessed products of animal origin (such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, milk, cheese) and intend to supply other businesses rather than sell food direct to the public, then your food business may have to be approved by the local authority.
Establishments that need approval
Establishments that are approved by local authorities include meat establishments, fish and shellfish establishments and animal produce establishments.
Applications for approval must be sought for:
- new establishments intending to undertake activities that are within the scope of approval
- existing registered establishments intending to undertake new activities that are within the scope of approval
- establishments already approved by the local authority (LA) intending to undertake additional approvable activities
- establishments approved by the LA intending to undertake additional activities that require approval by FSA, i.e. co-located
- change of FBO for an operational approved establishment
What you will need to do to get approval
If your food business requires approval, then it is an offence to operate the food business without approval. Once approved, you will be issued with a unique approval number which makes up part of the identification mark required on your products and documentation.
As part of the approval process, you will have to put in place procedures to manage food safety. These procedures must be based upon Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles.
MyHACCP is a free web for tool small food manufacturing businesses in the UK.
It is designed to guide you through the process of developing a food safety management system based on the HACCP principles.
There are some exemptions from the requirements to be approved. We will need to carefully assess your business to determine whether any of the exemptions apply or whether your business requires approval.
If you think you may need approval, please contact us before applying at food@bromley.gov.uk
Who can apply
Food businesses that make, prepare or handle meat, dairy, egg, fish, shellfish or animal produce for supply to other businesses.
Costs
It is free to apply for approval.
What you need to provide with your application
As well as a fully completed application form you will need to submit a detailed scale plan of your (proposed) establishment showing:
- the location of rooms and other areas to be used for the storage and processing of raw materials, product and waste
- the layout of facilities and equipment
You will also need a description of your:
- food safety management system based on HACCP principles
- establishment and equipment maintenance arrangements
- establishment, equipment and transport cleaning arrangements
- waste collection and disposal arrangements
- water supply and water supply quality testing arrangements
- arrangements for product testing
- pest control arrangements
- monitoring arrangements for staff health
- staff hygiene training arrangements
- arrangements for record keeping
- arrangements for traceability of food products
- arrangements for recall procedures
- arrangements for applying the identification mark to product packaging or wrapping
What happens once you have made an application
We will need to inspect the food premises and assess your application before issuing your approval. New establishments requiring approval will not be able to operate until they have been granted conditional approval to operate.
Tacit consent will not apply
It is in the public interest that we process your application before it can be granted.
We will need to carry out a site visit, and an officer will contact you within 14 days of receiving your application form to arrange this.
You must not commence any business activity which requires approval until we have approved your business. To carry out business without approval is an offence for which the business may be prosecuted.
You will be advised in writing within 28 days following the determination of your application for approval.
Apply for approval or make changes to your current approval
Please contact us to request an approvals application form or to advise us of changes to your current approval at; food@bromley.gov.uk
The approval of a food business establishment is non- transferrable to another food business operator if you sell your business and it is not transferable if you decide to relocate your food business to a new business premises. In each case a new approval application must be submitted.