Selling food online is operating a food business. The same legal requirements apply as for any other food business.
This page is for people who sell food through social media. It explains the key food safety and legal requirements you must meet. Links are provided to additional resources that you may find helpful, and the relevant sections of legislation are signposted in the table at the end.
Selling food online is operating a food business. The same legal requirements apply as for any other food business.
If you sell food or drink online, including via social media, you must register as a food business with your local authority. You can find your local authority here.
Registration is free and should be completed at least 28 days before you begin trading. If you are already operating and have not registered, you should do so as soon as possible. Failure to register is an offence and may result in enforcement action.
You will need to provide details such as a contact phone number and email address so your local authority can contact you directly.
You should clearly state on your social media profile or pages with which local authority your food business is registered. This helps customers identify you as a legitimate business and avoids confusion about which authority is responsible for you.
You must inform your local authority if your business details change, for example:
Your local authority Environmental Health service is responsible for ensuring that food businesses comply with food law.
They may contact you to:
If your business operates through social media, officers may review your online content. If they cannot access it, for example in a private or closed group, they may ask you to provide information in another format.
You must respond to requests from Environmental Health and provide any information they require. Failure to do so may lead to formal action.
During an inspection, officers will assess your premises, processes, and records to ensure that food safety requirements are met.
You must ensure that all food you sell is safe and complies with food law.
This includes:
The above considerations will be part of an appropriate food safety management system based on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) which you must have in place to operate.
Guidance such as CookSafe or RetailSafe can help you put appropriate food safety procedures in place. Your local authority’s environmental health department will be able to assist when developing your food hygiene and safety procedures.
You must also ensure that any products you sell are compliant with food law. This includes avoiding the sale of foods that are not permitted in the UK or are incorrectly labelled.
You must provide clear, accurate and not misleading information about the food you sell.
Most foods must have either a use-by date or a best before date. You are responsible for setting this correctly and supporting it with appropriate evidence. Guidance on shelf-life can help you determine appropriate date marking.
You must not mislead consumers through false or unclear descriptions, images or claims. Food must be of the nature, substance and quality that customers would reasonably expect.
Providing allergen information is a legal requirement.
When selling food at a distance, including through social media:
You must clearly identify whether any of the 14 regulated allergens are present in the food, either as ingredients or due to cross-contact. This information must be accurate and reflect how the food is prepared.
You must also have controls in place to manage allergens safely. This includes separation of ingredients, effective cleaning, and preventing cross-contact.
The way you provide information depends on whether your food is:
You are responsible for determining which category applies to your products. Detailed guidance on allergen labelling and information requirements is available to help you meet these requirements. If you are unsure, you should contact your local authority for advice.
Failure to provide accurate allergen information can cause serious harm and may result in enforcement action.
You must be able to identify where your food and ingredients come from and a record of any businesses supplied with your product.
It is also good practice to keep:
If you believe that food you have sold is unsafe (e.g., through customer complaints), you must take immediate action. For example:
These actions are essential to protect public health. Further guidance on traceability, withdrawals and recalls is available. You might also consider signing up to received Food alerts/recalls and news from FSS to ensure you are aware of current issues.
Key legal requirements relevant to selling food on social media are summarised below.
| Requirement | Key legislation |
|---|---|
| Food business registration | Regulation (EC) No. 852/2004, Article 6 |
| General food safety (unsafe food must not be placed on the market) | Regulation (EC) No. 178/2002, Article 14 |
| Food safety management procedures (HACCP-based) | Regulation (EC) No. 852/2004, Article 5
|
| Hygiene requirements (premises, transport, equipment) | Regulation (EC) No. 852/2004, Annex II
|
| Traceability | Regulation (EC) No. 178/2002, Article 18 |
| Withdrawal and recall | Regulation (EC) No. 178/2002, Article 19 |
| Food information to consumers (including allergens) |
|
For further guidance, contact your local authority Environmental Health team.
