Starting a new food business

Do I need approval?

Food businesses that manufacture, process, store or handle products of animal origin may require 'approval', because the activities include high risk operations. Usually, business requiring approval are involved in either the manufacture, storage or wholesaling of these foods.

If you are involved with any of the following activities, you may require approval and need tocomplete our online approved establishment application form:

Minced meat
Meat preparation
Mechanically separating meat or meat products
Live bivalve molluscs
Fishery produce
Raw milk
Dairy produce
Eggs and egg production
Frogs' legs and snails
Rendered animal fats and greaves
Treated stomachs, bladders, intestines
Gelatine and collagen
Some cold stores
Some wholesale markets or distributors

You may also require approval if:

You supply products of animal origin to another food business, especially if you supply businesses outside of the local area.
Your supply to businesses is greater than 25 per cent of your overall business.

Who is exempt?

You'll be exempt from approval if you're only supplying the final consumer. To be exempt, you must not supply other food businesses.

Applying for approval

If you want to operate as an approved premises, you must have 'prior approval' from us before you start trading. This includes an approval document and a unique identification number issued by Breckland Council, which you may need to apply to the labels on your products.

To apply for approval you'll need:

A detailed plan of the proposed establishment.
- The plan should show the location of the rooms to be used for storage and processing of raw materials, product and waste.
A copy of your Food Safety Management System (HACCP).
A copy of your proposed waste collection and disposal arrangements (for example, your contract).
A copy of your proposed pest control arrangements (for example, your contract).