Opening a food premises

Inspection and registration

All premises used for the manufacture, preparation, packing or storage of food for sale to the public must be registered by the local authority under the Food Hygiene Regulations 1974. All food premises are subject to regular inspection and annual renewal of registration.

Registration

You have two options:

1. Registration under the Food Hygiene Regulations 1974

Your premises must comply with the structural requirements of the Food Hygiene Regulations 1974.

You are required to fill in an application form for either:

(a) registration of a new food premises prior to opening
(b) transfer of a license into your name after purchasing an existing food premises.

This must be completed within 14 days of the purchase to remain valid.

The food premises licensing period runs from July 1 to June 30 of the following year. The fee is dependent on the type of food prepared or sold, the level of cleaning and sanitising, and the number of people holding the Basic Food Safety Certificate.

2. Registration of a Food Safety Programme

Once a Food Safety Programme (FSP) is registered, your premises are automatically exempt from the Food Hygiene Regulations 1974. A registered FSP is based on the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) system. It can be registered and approved by the local public health unit.

Structural requirements

The First Schedule of the Food Hygiene Regulations 1974 and amendments sets out the structural requirements for a food premises.

Environmental health officer

Please contact an environmental health officer before setting up your food premises. Arrangements can be made for an officer to visit your premises during its construction to ensure it is set up correctly.

Planning approval under the Resource Management Act

Advise a planner about the location and type of business you propose, to ensure that you can set up a food premises in your chosen area. Some areas of the city are zoned to prevent commercial activity in that area. Find out if there are any parking or other planning requirements for your area. Lighting, noise, and air extraction systems may affect neighbouring premises. It is essential you find out the requirements for these so you do not cause a nuisance to your neighbours.

Building consent

If you are building new premises, or altering/fitting out an existing building, you will require building consent. You will need to speak to a building advisory officer about the submission of an accurate plan and any other information that may be required. You will need to state clearly the type of operation you intend and include plans and information detailing:

• the designation of all rooms and specific areas
• layout of appliances and fittings, including the position of work benches, tables, shelves, cupboards, sinks, wash basins, cooking equipment, refrigerators and freezers, lockers and dishwashers (if required)
• type and location of artificial lighting and ventilation
• location on yard areas, the refuse disposal area, changing rooms and customer service areas
• an outline of the construction material and surface finishes that you propose
• ensure that you attach a preliminary form for the proposed food premises with your building consent application.

Plumbing and drainage

If you are installing toilets, sinks or wash basins you will need a building consent for the plumbing and drainage work.

Trade waste requirement

Check with Council's trade waste officer regarding trade waste requirements. If a grease trap is required, it is to be installed outside.

District Licensing Agency (liquor licensing)

If you intend to apply for a liquor licence you should contact the District Licensing Agency at an early stage to find out your obligations under the Sale of Liquor Act 1989. Check the liquor licensing page.

Grading

Environmental health officers will assign a grade to food premises. The grades will be based on the conditions and practices observed on the day of the inspection . The assigned grade will be printed on the registration certificate. The grades are A, B, C, D, E - corresponding to: