• Do I need to register my food business?
• Do I have to pay to register my food business?
• Do I need to be trained to work in a food business?
• Do I need to do refresher training courses?
• How often should I expect to get a visit from an Environmental Health Officer?
• Do I need to make a record of temperature checks?
• Do food handlers have to wear gloves?
• Do food handlers need to wear hats and hairnets?
• Do I have to register my mobile food vehicle with the local authority whose area I trade within?

Do I need to register my food business?

Yes

You are required by law to register a premises used for a food business at least 28 days before opening, (including markets, stalls, delivery vehicles and other movable structures). This allows us to keep an up-to-date list of all food premises in our area so that we can visit them when we need to. The frequency of the visits will depend on the type of premises.

Do I have to pay to register my food business?

No. The registration cannot be refused and there is no charge.

• View the exemptions from registration under the regulations 58kb

View the application form for Registration of Food Premises 46kb.

Please print the application form and return to:
Food Team
Lawrence House
Talbot Street
Nottingham
NG1 5NT

Do I need to be trained to work in a food business?

It is a legal requirement for the Food Business Operator to ensure that food handlers are supervised and instructed and/or trained in food hygiene matters commensurate with their work activities.

A food handler is any person involved in a food business that handles or prepares food whether open of packaged.

The level of training depends on the actual job of the individual and the type of food they handle. View a list of Nottinghamshire colleges that run foundation and intermediate food hygiene courses.

Do I need to do refresher training courses?

No. However, we recommend for you to refresh your training every three years so that you are kept up-to-date with legislative changes which may affect the way you work.

How often should I expect to get a visit from an Environmental Health Officer?

Once we have received your registration form we will aim to visit you to carry out a food safety inspection within three months. Those premises posing a higher risk to the consumer will then be inspected more frequently than those premises with a lower risk. The inspection frequency could be between six  months and five years.

However, additional visits may be made between routine inspections in response to suspected food poisoning allegations, food item or food business complaints.

What food safety legislation do I need to know?

Under The Food Hygiene (England) Regulations 2006:

• Food prepared in a food business to be put up for sale should be free from contamination and of the nature, substance and quality demanded and shall be fit for human consumption.
  
  
• Food is classed as being for sale if it is anywhere within the food premises and is intended for human consumption by being sold, offered as a prize, a reward, or given away as part of promotional advertising.
  

Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 and The Food Hygiene (England) Regulations 2006 set out specifically the standards of food safety and hygiene you are expected to comply with in your food business. View the food safety legal information.

Do I need to make a record of temperature checks?

Under The Food Hygiene (England) Regulations 2006 you are required to keep a record of your critical control point monitoring. You should bear in mind that should an offence be committed and action be taken, you may have a defence of 'due diligence'. Written records may be invaluable in establishing that defence.

Do food handlers have to wear gloves?

It is not a requirement to wear gloves whilst handling food. However, gloves may be worn as a form of protective clothing but it is important to ensure that gloves are kept clean and are regularly changed after handling raw products and before handling ready to eat products to prevent the risk of cross contamination.

If gloves are not worn, hands must be kept clean, wounds must be covered and jewellery (sleepers and a plain wedding band are acceptable) and false nails should not be worn.

Do food handlers need to wear hats and hairnets?

It is important for you to control the risk of food contamination. Hair should therefore be kept clean and long hair must be tied back whilst handling open food. It is good practice for food handlers to cover their hair with a hat and/or a hairnet.

Do I have to register my mobile food vehicle with the council in whose area I trade within?

No.

A mobile food vehicle must be registered with the local authority for the area where your vehicle is stored overnight.

If you experience any problems accessing documents on this page, help is available from our Accessibility page

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