Food Business Registration

When you start a new food business or take over an existing business, you must register with the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture. It's free to register, and your registration cannot be refused. You should register at least 28 days before opening. If you're already trading and have not registered, you need to do this as soon as possible.

Who needs to register

A food business is anyone preparing, cooking, storing, handling, distributing, supplying or selling food, whether for profit or not.

Registration applies to food businesses like:

• Restaurants, cafes and takeaways
• Catering businesses run from home, mobile catering and temporary businesses
• Food stalls, food pop-ups, and food vans
• Distance selling, mail order, and food delivery
• Companies involved with food distribution or supply that operate from an office should register - even if no food is kept at the premises 

If you operate more than one premises, you need to register each separately.

You can also apply online via our online form: 

What happens next

After submitting the food business establishment registration form, your premises will be added to our food establishment database and you will receive confirmation of your registration.

Once registered, you will be asked to complete a self-assessment questionnaire. Feeback from questionnaires helps us to risk rate business, determine how frequently they should be inspected and help target our resources at those businesses that pose the highest risk to the public. Please note that you do not need to wait for an inspection prior to operating your business.

Making changes to your food business registration details

If the nature of your business changes, the business closes, the food business operator or manager changes, or if you change the storage location of your moveable premises, you must notify us. 

If you transfer ownership of your business to a different operator, that person or company will need to complete a registration form. 

​Contact Details

For further information please email ehenquiries@gov.im or call +44 1624 685894.