Food premises approval

About food premises approval

Summary of requirements

It is a requirement for all food businesses to Register with Wandsworth Council using a Food Premises Registration Form. However, food businesses that sell some types of food (see next paragraph) on to other businesses, rather then direct to consumers, will also need to obtain EC Approval using the application form.

Wandsworth Council is required to inspect and, where appropriate, grant permission for premises to handle, process and/or manufacture products of animal origin such as meat, dairy, eggs or fish.

This is called the process of Approval and in general it applies to premises that wholesale or manufacture foodstuffs containing products of animal origin. It is the responsibility of the Food Business Operator to obtain approval before processing products of animal origin and if you are in doubt as to whether you need Approval or not you should phone the Food Safety Team for advice on 020 8871 6166.

Food premises approved under these regulations must meet additional requirements above the general requirements for food premises as they involve more high risk operations. This includes a detailed HACCP Plan to ensure the food business operator is controlling risks at critical points. Additional paperwork regarding hygiene and safety of the food being processed will also need to be sent with the application form.

Food businesses must not commence any business activity which requires approval unless they have received conditional or full approval for the proposed activity from the Food Safety Team. To commence business without approval is an offence for which the business is likely to be prosecuted.

If a food business is handling, making and processing any of the products listed below, you may need approval.

Food of animal origin

This includes:

meat and poultry - whether fresh, frozen or cooked
meat products such as pies, sausage rolls, faggots, black pudding and bacon
raw or partially cooked minced meat or meat preparations such as sausages, burgers, marinated raw meat and kebab meat
fish and fish products such as fish fingers, prawns, lobsters, crabs and crayfish - whether dead or alive
live bivalve molluscs
ready meals containing fish or meat
milk and dairy products such as butter, cream, cheese, yoghurt, ice-cream, etc.
frogs legs and snails
rendered animal fats and other animal by products such as gelatine, collagen, stomachs, bladders and intestines
honey and blood

Some premises may be exempt from being approved - details can be found in the Food Law Practice Guidance (England) and are based on the premises being retail or supplying other retailers on a marginal, localised and restricted basis. Another exemption from being approved is the supply of food of animal origin to the final consumer - i.e. if the person who buys the product then eats that product, the business is exempt. This business would then only need to be registered as a food business with the council.

Additionally, there may be an exemption available depending on the extent to which the business wishes to supply food of animal origin to other businesses.

The premises are approved under the following regulations:

The Food Hygiene (England) Regulations 2006
Regulation EC No 853/2004
Regulation EC No 854/2004
Regulation EC No 852/2004

Eligibility criteria

No provision in legislation.

Application evaluation process

No provision in legislation.

Will tacit consent apply?

No. It is in the public interest that the authority must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from Wandsworth Council's Food Team within a reasonable period, please contact them using the details below. Alternatively you can do this online if you applied through the UK Welcomes website or use the contact details below.

What can I do if my application is refused?

Please contact Wandsworth Council in the first instance at:

Food Safety Section
Environmental Services
Department of Environment & Community Services
Wandsworth Borough Council
PO Box 47095
London SW18 9AQ

Email: esd@wandsworth.gov.uk

What if I am not happy with a condition imposed?

Please contact Wandsworth Council at the address above in the first instance.

What if I have a query about my approval?

Please contact Wandsworth Council at the address above.

European Services Directive

If you think that the council has not complied with the European Services Directive by imposing requirements or conditions in respect of your application that are discriminatory, unfair, or disproportionate, please contact:

UK SOLVIT Centre
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
1 Victoria Street
London SW1H 0ET

Email: solvit@bis.gsi.gov.uk

Health and safety

Before setting up any business in the UK, you must also ensure that it will comply with the relevant health and safety regulations. Please see the links below for further information:

Wandsworth Council's Health and safety web pages
Health and Safety Executive web pages

Consumer concerns about an approved food premises

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

Alternatively, you can contact the Council's Trading Standards Section at:

Trading Standards Section
Department of Environment & Community Services
Wandsworth Council
PO Box 47095
London SW18 9AQ

Email: Tradingstandards@wandsworth.gov.uk

Other complaints

If you want to make other types of complaints about approved food premises e.g. related to noise or health and safety, please contact:

Environmental Services
Department of Environment & Community Services
Wandsworth Council
PO Box 47095
London SW18 9AQ