Food Business Registration | Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council

If you are starting up a new food business or taking one over, you are required to register your food business with the Local Council:

Summary

A food business is one which:

carries out activities at any stage during the production, processing or distribution of food or drinks
is involved in the preparation, handling, selling, serving or distribution of food, drink or any other substance used in processing or as a food ingredient
is either a profit or not-for-profit, public or private venture

All food businesses which handle, prepare or sell food are legally required to be registered with their local Council. This must be done at least 28 days before it is due to open. You need only register once however you must notify Council, of any changes you make to your business eg change of owner, change in type of business, re-location etc. If you have more than one food premises, these must be registered separately.

Some manufacturers handling products of animal origin, for example those who make meat preparations, minced meat and cooked meat products, may need to be approved by the local authority or the Food Standards Agency, rather than registered. If you are uncertain whether your business needs to be approved or registered, contact Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council to discuss this with us.

You should also check to see if you need planning permission – if you do, contact the Planning Service who deal with all planning applications.

For more information on starting up a new food business or taking over an existing one contact a member of the Food Team at Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council visit the Food Standards Agency – Starting Up: Your first steps to running a catering business

Fees

This service is free of charge.

Eligibility Criteria

No provision in legislation

Regulation Summary

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

Application Evaluation Process

No provision in legislation

Will Tacit Consent Apply?

Yes. This means that you will be able to act as though your application is granted if you have not heard from the local authority by the end of the target completion period

Apply Online

Failed Application Redress

Please contact: Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Ballymoney Office, Riada House, 14 Charles Street, Ballymoney, BT53 6DZ

Tel: (028) 2766 0257 email: food@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk

Licence Holder Redress

Please contact: Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Ballymoney Office, Riada House, 14 Charles Street, Ballymoney, BT53 6DZ

Tel: (028) 2766 0257 email: food@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk

Consumer Complaint

We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made by you with the trader – preferably in the form of a letter (with proof of delivery). If that has not worked, and you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.

Other Redress

eg about noise, pollution, etc please contact Please contact: Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Ballymoney Office, Riada House, 14 Charles Street, Ballymoney, BT53 6DZ

Tel: (028) 2766 0257 email: food@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk

Trade Associations

Trade Associations Chilled Food Association
National Federation of Meat and Food Traders
Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association (NIFDA)
Scottish Food and Drink Federation (SFDF)