Starting a New Food Business
Starting or taking over a
food business can be a daunting prospect. In order to
help, our Environmental Health Service has developed several
website pages offering guidance, access to training and resources.
Key information is as follows:
Food Registration
Registration applies to most types of food business, including
catering businesses run from home and mobile or temporary premises,
such as stalls and vans. Businesses have to register at least 28
days before opening - registration is free. Further details on
how to register is provided on our Food Registration webpage.
Registration is not only a legal requirement but it gives you an
opportunity to contact our Food Team and receive valuable advice
and guidance.
Food Hygiene Training
An important part of running a food business is ensuring that
you and your staff are properly trained. The Council runs
several food hygiene courses per year. Details are
available on our Food Hygiene Training webpage.
Food Safety Management Systems
It is a legal requirement that all food businesses operate a
documented food safety management system. This must be commensurate
with the nature and size of your business.
The Council’s Food Team recommends the Food Standard Agency pack
known as Safer Food Better Business (SFBB). The pack helps you to
develop a food safety management system suited to your own catering
or retail operation. There are a number of SFBB packs available which
are designed to meet the specific needs of different food
businesses. There are packs for small catering businesses, small
retail businesses and restaurants and takeaways that serve
different cuisines, such as Chinese or Indian, Pakistani,
Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan.
This free pack and DVD training video is available via the
Council or from the Food Standard Agency. Further details are
provided on our Safer Food Better Business webpage.
Further Information
A useful Starting a Food Business Booklet has been
developed by the Food Standards Agency, this is available in a
variety of languages and can be downloaded from the Food Standards Agency's
(FSA) website.
Further guidance on starting a new food business is also
available on the
Business Link website.
Remember to get in touch with us to plan your business and
access training and resources; it could cost you more money if
don’t. It makes good business sense to serve food that is safe to
eat - good food hygiene helps prevent food poisoning and protects
your reputation with customers.
Contact Us
If you would like to speak to a member of the Food Team about
starting or taking over a food business then please contact us:
Write: Environmental Health Services, Civic Centre, Tannery
Lane, Ashford TN23 1PL
Telephone: 01233 330470
Email: envhealth@ashford.gov.uk
Fax: 01233 330469
This webpage was updated on
3/30/2012