Approval of food businesses

Most food businesses must be registered with their local council.

Once a business is registered, it can legally trade as a food business and will be subject to food safety inspections from the council. Some businesses will require approval from the council before they can start to trade. Businesses that require approval must be inspected and approved by the council before they can supply other food businesses with products of animal origin. Businesses that require approval must comply with both the general rules of food safety and some additional requirements.  

Who needs approval?  

Approval is only necessary if you intend to supply other businesses with products of animal origin. Approval is not necessary if you only supply the final consumer with food or if you do not handle unprocessed products of animal origin. If you do not supply other businesses with products of animal origin or if your business directly supplies the public with products of animal origin, the premises must be registered with the council.  

Approval may be required if you produce or supply products of animal origin to other food business establishments (not directly to the public). Examples of businesses that may require approval include: 

  • Manufacturers of meat products or meat preparations. 
  • Fish processors and manufacturers of fish processors and manufacturers.  
  • Manufacturers of dairy products 
  • Egg packers and egg product manufacturers 
  • Processors of frogs legs and snails 
  • Processors of rendered animal fats and greaves 
  • Manufacturers of treated stomachs, bladders and intestines 
  • Processors of gelatine and collagen 
  • Certain cold stores and wholesale markets that handle products of animal origin.  

It is a criminal offence to operate a business that requires approval without the prior approval of the Council.  

Are there any exemptions to requiring approval?  

Yes. It is possible for certain shops and restaurants that sell products of animal origin to other businesses to be exempt from requiring approval if they only supply businesses in the local area with products of animal origin and the sale of products of animal origin to other businesses accounts for only a small proportion of their turnover. No exemption exists for non-retail premises e.g., factory units. The exemption only applies to retailers and restaurants/cafes that supply the final consumer. Please contact the Council if you believe that your business is exempt from approval and only requires registration.   

How to apply for approval 

Please complete the form and return it to [email protected] or by post to: 

Environmental Health Service, Knowsley Council,  2nd Floor, Municipal Building , Archway Road, Huyton, Knowsley, L36 9YU 

You must also include the following documents: 

  • A detailed scale plan of the (proposed) establishment showing the location of rooms and other areas to be used for the storage and processing of raw materials, product and waste, and the layout of facilities and equipment. 
  • A description of the (proposed) food safety management system based on HACCP principles. 
  • A description of the (proposed) establishment and equipment maintenance arrangements. 
  • A description of the (proposed) establishment, equipment and transport cleaning arrangements. 
  • A description of the (proposed) waste collection and disposal arrangements. 
  • A description of the (proposed) water supply. 
  • A description of the (proposed) water supply quality testing arrangements. 
  • A description of the (proposed) arrangements for product testing. 
  • A description of the (proposed) pest control arrangements. 
  • A description of the (proposed) monitoring arrangements for staff health. 
  • A description of the (proposed) staff hygiene training arrangements. 
  • A description of the (proposed) arrangements for record keeping. 
  • A description of the (proposed) arrangements for applying the identification mark to product packaging or wrapping. 

What happens after applying for approval?  

If you submit a valid application for approval, an officer will arrange to carry out an inspection. If the officer is satisfied that you are likely to comply with the requirements of food safety law, you will be granted conditional approval and assigned a unique approval number that must usually be applied to product packaging or wrapping. A further inspection will be carried out before the Council decides whether you can be granted full approval.  

What happens if I am refused conditional or full approval?  

You have the right of appeal to a magistrates’ court against a decision to grant conditional or full approval.  

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