Food Premises Registration

What is registration?

Registration of premises used for a food business (including market stalls, delivery vehicles and other moveable structures) is required by law. The purpose of registration is to provide Fermanagh & Omagh District Council with information about the food premises in their area so they can plan their inspections and target their enforcement resources effectively.  The frequency of visits will depend on the type of business.

Who needs to register?

All food businesses which handle, prepare, store, distribute or sell food are legally required to be registered with their District Council. This must be done at least 28 days prior to opening.  Food premises includes restaurants, hotels, cafes, shops, supermarkets, staff canteens, kitchens in offices, warehouses, guest houses, delivery vehicles, buffet cars on trains, market and other stalls, hot dog and ice cream vans, etc.

If you use vehicles for your food business in connection with permanent premises such as a shop or warehouse, you only need to tell the District Council how many vehicles you have.  You do not need to register each vehicle separately.  If you have one or more vehicles but no permanent premises, you must tell the Council where they are normally kept.

If you use premises in more than one District Council area you must register with each Council separately.

The majority of premises will have to be registered.  However, certain premises are exempt from registration, e.g. some which are already registered for food law purposes, certain agricultural premises, motor cars, tents and marquees (but not stalls), some domestic premises and some village halls.  Contact the Environmental Health Department if you think you might be exempt.

Some manufacturers handling products of animal origin may need to be approved by the District Council or the Food Standards Agency, rather than be registered.  If you are uncertain whether your business needs to be approved or registered, contact the Environmental Health Department.

Once you have registered with the District Council you only need notify it of a change of proprietor, if the nature of the business changes or if there is a change of the address at which moveable premises are kept.  The new proprietor will have to complete a Registration form.

If the Council wishes to change the entry in the Register because of information which it received from someone else, you will be given 28 days notice and an opportunity to comment on the proposed change.

Regulation Summary

Regulation (EC) No. 852/2004 on the Hygiene of Foodstuffs (Article 6(2))

Will Tacit Consent apply?

Yes. Your business will be placed on the Council’s Food Premises Register. You do not receive a Certificate of Registration.

Apply online

Apply for Registration of a Food Business
Tell us about a change to your existing circumstances
Alternatively, download a Food Premises Registration Form

Fee

There is no fee to register and you do not have to re-register every year.

Public Register

A Register of Food Businesses can be provided on request.

Complaints

In the event of a complaint the first contact can be made with the District Council.  Alternatively, in the UK Citizens Advice Bureau will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.

Data Protection

Under the Data Protection Act, Fermanagh & Omagh District Council has a legal duty to protect any information we collect about you.  It will not be disclosed to any third party unless law or regulation compel such disclosure or unless we have been specifically asked to do so in order to deliver a service which you have requested.

For further information contact the Environmental Health Department by completing the online form below, enquire here.