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We are required to inspect and grant permission for food premises to handle, process and manufacture products of animal origin such as meat, dairy, egg or fish. This is called the process of approval.
Food premises approved under these regulations must meet additional requirements above the general requirements for food premises as they involve more high risk operations.
Food businesses must not start any business activity which requires approval, unless they have received conditional or full approval for the proposed activity from the Food Safety team. To start business without approval is an offence for which the business is likely to be prosecuted.
You do not need to be approved if you are a manufacturer but also sell direct to the public or retailers like caterers, pubs and restaurants, as long as:
There are lots of exceptions so please check with the Food and Safety team.
The food premises must also be registered with the council.
Apply for food premises approval (PDF,260KB)
You will also need to provide all the relevant documentation listed in part 8 of the application form.
Apply for a change to an existing food premises approval (PDF, 380KB)
You'll need to include a detailed Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan to ensure you're controlling risks at critical points. Find out how to make a make an HACCP food plan on GOV.UK
Additional paperwork regarding hygiene and safety of the food being processed will also need to be sent with the application form.
Once your application is received with all the relevant paperwork for the application, an officer will contact you within 14 days. They will make arrangements to carry out an inspection of your premises. The purpose of the inspection is to ensure the premises meet the standards required for approved premises and to ensure your documentation is correct.
We will write to you within 28 days to tell you if the premises have been approved. We can grant you full or conditional approval.
In the event of the application being refused you will be notified of the reasons in writing and the matters necessary to satisfy approval requirements. You will also be advised of your right of appeal to Croydon Magistrates Court, Barclay Road, Croydon CR9 3NG.
Any food business operator who objects to any of the requirements requested before approval is granted should speak to the officer who completed the inspection. The food business operator also has the right to appeal, by contacting:
Croydon Magistrates Court
Barclay Road
Croydon, CR9 3NG
We would always advise in the first instance that in the event of a complaint about a food business or the food they have produced, you make contact with the food business operator. If you are not satisfied with their response please contact the food safety team on the details below.
Food Safety team, Bernard Weatherill House, 8 Mint Walk
Croydon CR0 1EA
United Kingdom
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