As a rule, all food businesses must be registered or approved.
Food businesses that need to be approved are those that process food of animal origin such as:
• minced meat
• meat preparations
• mechanically separated meat
• meat products
• live bivalve molluscs
• fishery products
• raw milk (other than raw cows' milk)
• dairy products
• eggs (not primary production)
• egg products
• frogs legs and snails
• rendered animal fats and greaves
• treated stomachs, bladders and intestines
• gelatine and collagen
• certain cold stores
• certain wholesale markets
There are some exemptions to these requirements; our Environmental Health Department will provide further information and advice.
Information and advice regarding premises registration is available on the Council's Food Premises Registration webpage.
Application and approval process
If you think that your food premises may need approval, please contact Environmental Health in the first instance. We will arrange for one of our Environmental Health Officers to contact you and discuss your proposals
Following the initial discussion, it may be determined that approval is not required and that the usual food registration process is all that is required.
If the premises does require Approval, you will need to submit an application form together with:
• a site plan - this can be sketched, but should reflect the layout of the premises accurately
• evidence of the Food Safety Management System based on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles
(Further information and advice on HACCP can also be provided by one of our Environmental Health team).
You should also be aware that food business operators and staff working within a food business are required to be suitably trained, and/or supervised by a qualified person. If you require further information or advice on this, please contact our Environmental Health Department, see below for contact details.
Please be aware that the application for an approved premises involves the applicant providing a substantial amount of information. Applicants will need to take the time to consider the form carefully and make sure that it is completed in full with all the required details and further information.
When your application form and supporting documentation is received for approval, it will be reviewed for completeness. We will then arrange a site visit with you. This will help us to verify the details on the application, and also discuss any further issues or requirements that have to be met as part of this process.
The site visit will normally be equivalent to a food premises inspection, which will risk rate the premises according to the Food Standards Agency food hygiene risk rating system.
When the premises has been inspected, and it is agreed that all requirements for formal approval have been met, the approval will be issued to the premises together with a unique approval number. This number forms part of the standard identification mark, and must be applied to your products and documentation. The mark will contain the unique three digit approval number applicable to the premises, and this ensures that the products can be traced back to your company.
Target completion time
Your application should normally be determined within 28 working days of receipt of your full application (ie the application form and all necessary supporting documentation). In some circumstances Conditional Approval may be given for a short period of time only. If you have not heard back from the Council within 28 working days, please contact us as detailed below. If we have not contacted you it does not mean that your application has been granted.
Will tacit consent apply?
No. It is in the public interest that the authority must process your application before it can be granted
If your approval application is granted we will write to you, and send you the Grant of Approval Form. If you have not heard from South Hams District Council within a reasonable period, please contact us. You can do this online if you applied through the UK Welcomes service or use the contact details below.
If your application is not granted for any reason, we will write to you explaining the decision. You can appeal to the Magistrates Court if approval is refused.
Apply online (available from end of December 2009)
Application for food premises approval
Application to change a food premises approval
Applciation form
Application for food premises approval
Contact details
Address
The Environmental Health Department
South Hams District Council
Follaton House
Plymouth Road
Totnes
Devon
TQ9 5NE
Tel: 01803 861234
Fax: 01803 861294
Email: licensing@southhams.gov.uk
Complaints
If you wish to make a complaint of any kind about an Approved Food Premises within the South Hams please contact us.
If you are not happy with the service the Council has provided with regard to your application, please contact Environmental Health & Licensing in the first instance, and we will try to resolve any concerns you may have.
The Council also has a formal complaints procedure. Please write to the Environmental Health Department at the contact address above, you may wish to send your letter by recorded delivery.
If your complaint is still not resolved, if you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre
