Food premises
If you're planning on selling food, you'll need a Food Act Registration.
A registration sets out the steps for food businesses to follow to make kai that is safe to eat.
Businesses making or selling higher-risk foods are likely to need a food control plan as part of their registration.
Under the Food Act 2014, all businesses selling food must be registered, unless they fit into a small group of exemptions. Our role is to make sure businesses follow the act.
Do you need to register?
Here are some questions to consider:
- Are you selling food? If yes, you need a registration. If no, you don’t.
- Are you fundraising? See Selling food for fundraising or charity
- Are you baking from your home to sell? If yes, you will need a food control plan.
Here are some examples of how the Food Act might apply to your business:
Food Act case studies - NZ Government (mpi.govt.nz)
When you don't need to register
Some small-scale businesses that handle food don't need to register. These include:
- if you are fundraising and sell food fewer than 20 times a year (for example, sausage sizzles and charity fundraisers)
- some ECE providers who provide food for children in their care or prepare the food as part of the curriculum
- small accommodation providers, or accommodation providers who only provide breakfast or snacks
- clubs, organisations and societies that sometimes sell food at member events.
Exemptions from plans or programmes (mpi.govt.nz)
Future verifications
You can find out the due date for the next verification from your Environmental Health Officer or on your verification report.
You will be invoiced once the verification has been completed. You can pay the invoice either online, in person or by internet banking.
Pay an application fee or invoice
If applicable, a Grading Certificate is issued once payment has been received.
Revisits and extra fees
If you require a revisit, there may be extra fees. Fees include travel time and administration costs.
If your Environmental Health Officer finds problems with your food safety, you will be verified more frequently.
Making structural changes
If you are making any structural changes to the existing building, you may require a building consent.
Building consents
Please discuss this with a Building Officer.
If you are not the property owner, you must get written consent from the person who owns the property. They must confirm that they have given permission for you to operate a food business from this premises.
External links and legislation
The following external links and legislation can help you.