East Suffolk Council
Food establishment approval
You do not need to be approved if you only supply food direct to the public but you may need to be registered.
Examples of types of premises that are required to be approved by local authorities are stand alone (i.e. not attached to a slaughter house) cutting plants or game handling establishments.
You should contact us to see if you require approval if the product of animal origin is any of:
- minced meat
- meat preparation
- mechanically separated meat
- meat products
- live bivalve molluscs (shellfish)
- fishery products
- dairy products
- eggs (not primary production)/egg products
- frogs' legs/snails
- rendered animal fats and greaves
- treated stomachs, bladders and intestines
- gelatine
- collagen
How to apply for approval
There is no fee for the application/approval process.
On receipt of the completed application form the applicant will be contacted within four weeks to arrange a suitable date to visit the establishment. The assessment visit will cover all structural, equipment and hygiene requirements, and food businesses will have to meet all the relevant legal requirements of both Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 and Regulation (EC) No 853/2004.
What about changes?
Food business operators must ensure that the information provided to us is up-to-date and must notify us of any significant changes of activities or closure etc.
Regulation summary
Information on food safety matters can be obtained from the Food Standards Agency.
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 local authority must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from us within a period of 35 calendar days, please contact us.
Failed application redress
Please contact us in the first instance.
Licence holder redress
You have a right to appeal against the decision if the premises are refused approval. Any person who is aggrieved by a decision taken in respect of an establishment subject to approval may appeal to a Magistrates' Court. The time limit for lodging an appeal is one month from the date on which a notice of the decision is served on the person wanting to appeal.
Consumer complaint
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, you can find out about consumer rights at www.gov.uk/consumer-protection-rights.
From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.
Other redress
Please contact us in the first instance.
Public register
The food premises register is available to view by appointment at the Council offices. A single entry or copy of the whole register can be purchased.
Trade associations
Additional information
- MyHACCP - free step-by-step online guidance from the Food Standards Agency to food manufacturing and other food businesses on how to make sure you've got effective HACCP-based controls.