Whether you're setting up a new food business or taking over an existing one, we're here to help you make sure it's safe and complies with the law. We're also here to help your business to encourage healthier eating across Scotland.
Starting a food business checklist
Use this checklist as a guide to make sure that your new business is safe and complies with food law
Registering your food business
Basic requirements
At least 28 days before you start trading, you need to:
- find out if your business needs to be registered, approved or if exemptions apply
- if required, register with the environmental health service at your local authority
Don't forget
You must register your business at least 28 days before you start trading. Read our guide to registering your business for more information.
Setting up your food business
Once your business has been registered, you need to work with your local authority to make sure your business will comply with legal regulations. Below are the steps you need to consider when setting up your food business:
Check with your local authority planning department that your business has the correct planning permission to operate as a food business.
Make sure that you have the appropriate:
- ventilation
- lighting
- drainage
- sinks
- handwashing facilities
- procedures in place for pest control
Check with your local authority licensing department if you need to apply for any licensing.
For example, you may need to apply for a license to:
- sell alcohol
- provide entertainment
- provide late hours catering
- conduct mobile sales
Make sure that you and your staff have the necessary qualifications or training needed to operate your business. Use our business tools and training to help you with food safety management and food hygiene regulation.
Make sure that:
- your food preparation areas are clean
- you have a waste management contract in place
- relevant staff know how to clean food storage areas like fridges and freezers
Consider having written rules and procedures in place to make sure your food is safe.
These guides are food safety management systems based on hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP):
Do you have template sheets to record suppliers, ingredients, recipes and temperatures?
MenuCal is a free resource to allow you to record recipes and will help with allergen management and calculating calories.
Food allergies can be life threatening. As a business you have a responsibility to prepare safe food for your consumers. Learn more about managing allergens.
MenuCal is a free resource to allow you to record recipes and with allergen management and calculating calories.
We also have free online allergen training courses for food businesses.
As a business operator you must consider the health and safety of everyone who enters your premises. This includes staff, customers and yourself.
HSE: Information about health and safety at work is free guidance for new business set up to help with health and safety considerations.
Legislation details
Once you have established whether you need to register, or apply for approval, you should work with your local authority to ensure you are able to comply with the legal requirements and prepare safe food.
All food businesses, regardless of size, location or type of food must be aware of the food law that is relevant to their food business. Ultimately, you are responsible for ensuring the food you produce is safe as it is illegal to place unsafe food on the market.
You may wish to consider the following legislation when setting up your business:
Legal requirements covering food safety include ensuring:
- food businesses do not include in or remove anything from food, treat food in any way which would harm consumers
- food served or sold by businesses is of the nature, substance or quality which consumers would expect
- that food is labelled properly and is not misleading
- traceability through the food chain
Legal requirements covering food safety include:
- the requirement to have a documented HACCP system (food safety management system)
- details on general requirements of the food premises
- detailed specific requirements for rooms where food is prepared, treated or processed training requirements
Contains legal requirements on what information you must provide to customers when you sell foods. This includes labelling requirements, such as nutritional and allergens.
These apply to approved premises handling products of animal origin only.
These regulations detail specific requirements for establishments handling products of animal origin.
Running a food business
Business guidance
We’re here to help you make sure the food you produce, deliver and sell is safe to eat and is what it says it is.
Running a food businessIndustry-specific advice
Business guidance
Whatever food industry you're in, our expert guidance will help you follow food and feed law.
Industry-specific advice