If you are hoping to start up a new food business it is essential that you get things right from the start.
It may not be possible to provide guidance and support to all new business establishments. However, the following information and links will hopefully be helpful to you:
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Starting a new food business guidance
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Food Safety Advice
You will find the following websites helpful for gaining further advice on food safety matters and how to comply with food safety legislation.
Workplace Safety Advice
As a business and workplace you will also need to ensure you comply with requirements of health and safety legislation to ensure employees and anyone visiting your business is kept safe. The following websites will provide helpful information.
Business Support
Colleagues in the Business Gateway team can provide valuable advice, support and even access to finances to get your business up and running. They should be contacted to discuss your proposals and see what help they can offer. You can find more information from Business Gateway.
Licences and other permissions
Licences
You will need to consider whether you will need to be licensed for any of the activities you carry out (eg sale of alcohol, late hours catering, street trader etc).
Alcohol licences
On some occasions you may require a Section 50 Certificate from Environmental Health for your alcohol licence. If so, you must complete and submit an application form with the appropriate fee.
Street trader's licence
If you apply for a street trader's licence you will need a Certificate of Compliance from the Environmental Health section of the Local Authority where your unit is normally based.
More information can be found at Mobile food units.
Planning and Building Standards
You may need planning permission for new premises or change of use, or building warrant approval if carrying out any structural works and alterations.
Registering your new business
All food businesses (other than Approved food establishments) must be registered with their local authority. Information on registering your food business with Falkirk Council can be found on our Register your food business page.
Once we have received your registration form we will include you in our premises database and inspection plan.
Food hygiene training
If you are in charge of a business selling or supplying food, the law requires you to make sure that any member of staff who handles food is supervised and instructed and/or trained in food hygiene in a way appropriate for the work they do.
The person responsible for developing and maintaining your food safety management procedures must have received training to enable them to do this.
There is no legal requirement to attend a formal training course or get a qualification, however a training course may be the easiest way to ensure staff have sufficient knowledge and provide proof of this.
Courses are available from a range of food hygiene training providers. We cannot recommend any particular providers, however Forth Valley College provide this training locally.
The most recognised qualification (Elementary Food Hygiene course) is accredited by REHIS.
For more detailed information see the Food Hygiene Training guidance document on our Food safety guidance page.