Certain type of food premises, generally manufacturers of products of animal origin, such as dairies, meat product manufacturers or fish processors, are subject to product-specific regulations (Regulation (EC) 853/2004)
If your business makes, prepares or handles food of animal origin for supply to other businesses, then in most circumstances you will require approval from us. All products produced in an Approved premises must display a Health Mark or be accompanied by an appropriate Health Certificate.
Food of animal origin includes:
- meat and poultry - whether fresh, frozen or cooked
- meat products such as pies, sausage rolls, faggots, black pudding and bacon
- raw or partially cooked minced meat or meat preparations such as sausages, burgers, marinated raw meat and kebab meat
- fish and fish products such as fish fingers, prawns, lobsters, crabs and crayfish - whether dead or alive
- live bivalve molluscs
- ready meals containing fish or meat
- milk and dairy products such as butter, cream, cheese, yoghurt, ice-cream, etc.
- frogs legs and snails
- rendered animal fats and other animal by products such as gelatine, collagen, stomachs, bladders and intestines
- honey and blood
To obtain approval you will need to meet certain hygiene standards, set out in:
- Regulation (EC) 853/2004 Hygiene Rules for Food of Animal Origin
Approval will not be given unless the food business meets the required standards.
To apply for approval you can complete an application for the approval form and return by email or contact us using the details below.
Exemptions
There are some exemptions from the requirement to be approved. If the food business supplies food of animal origin to the final consumer then they are exempt from approval.
Additionally there may be an exemption available depending on the extent to which the business wishes to supply food of animal origin to other businesses.
Should the food business be exempt , it will need to be registered with us as a food business. The food business operator needs to complete and return a Food Premises Registration Form
How to apply for approval
Download the application for approval form
To determine the application we will need to visit your site. An officer will contact you within 14 days of receipt of the completed application in order to arrange this.
You will be advised in writing within 28 days following the determination of your application for approval.
Will tacit consent apply?
No. It is in the public interest that the authority must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from the local authority within a reasonable period, please contact us using the details below.
Refusal of approval
If your application is refused, you will be notified of the reasons in writing and the matters necessary to satisfy approval requirements. You will also be advised of your right of appeal to the Magistrates' Court.
Links to EC guidance
- Regulation (EC) 178/2002 (which includes relevant definitions)
- Regulation (EC) 852/2004
- Regulation (EC) 853/2004
- Regulation (EC) 854/2004
The enforcement code of practice and associated guidance from the Food Standards Agency.