Cookies We use cookies to provide you with the best experience on our website - find out how we use cookies. By continuing to browse our website, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.

• Advice
• Business
• Community
• Your council
• Environment
• Events
• Leisure and culture
• Jobs

• Food safety for businesses
• Our role
• Registering a food business
• Approval of a food business (supplying foods of animal origin)
• Outdoor and mobile catering
• Childminders
• Butchers
• Business seminars
• Healthier Chinese Menu project
• Food Hygiene Rating Scheme
• Food safety news
• Contact information

• Food hygiene guidelines and regulations
• Food hygiene training
• Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP)
• Fitness to work
• Allergens
• Enforcement
• Food colours
• Food surveillance sampling report

• Related links
• Food safety
• Food Standards Agency
• Food Standards Authority of Ireland
• Chartered Institute of Environmental Health
• Food allergies and intolerances
• Information and guidance for caterers
• Fitness to Work guide for food handlers

Food safety for businesses

This information is for food business owners only.

We want to make sure that all food supplied for human consumption which is produced, stored, distributed, consumed or imported within Belfast is safe for consumers.

We carry out a wide range of duties to safeguard the health of anyone who eats or buys food in Belfast and to support businesses that make and sell safe food. We also work with businesses to make sure foods are properly labelled so that consumers can make informed choices.

In this section you'll find all the information you need to run a food business and meet the relevant food hygiene requirements.

Top tasks

• Register a food business
• Apply for approval of a food business
• Contact our food safety team

Advice and information

• Information for new businesses
• Outdoor and mobile catering
• Toolkits including Safe Catering and Safer Food Better Business
• Food hygiene training
• Business seminars
• Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP)
• Fitness to work
• Enforcement policies
• Food Hygiene Rating Scheme
• Healthier Chinese menu project

We can also give business owners advice on premises layout including facilities, structure, finishes and equipment required at the planning stage. This avoids unnecessary remedial work.

We encourage businesses to come to us for advice and we'll help you understand the law and good practice. We'll also help you identify cost effective improvements and offer guidance to make your business safer for customers.

Good food hygiene video

This video explains the four main things to remember (the 4 C's) for good food hygiene:

• Cross-contamination
• Cleaning
• Chilling
• Cooking