How much does it cost to get a food license in the UK?

Registering a food business with your local authority in the UK is free. This mandatory registration must be done at least 28 days before opening. While registration costs nothing, additional licenses—such as alcohol (up to £1,905), outdoor seating (£100+), or food hygiene training—may incur costs.

How much does a food license cost in the UK?

How Much Does a Food Licence Cost in the UK? One of the most common questions we hear is, “How much is a food license UK?” The answer: registration is free for most food businesses.

How to get a food licence in the UK?

Guidance on how to register your food business with your local authority. When you start a new food business, or take over an existing business, you must register with your local authority. You should do this at least 28 days before you start trading. Registration of your food business is free and can't be refused.

Can I cook food at home and sell it in the UK?

While you may not define yourself as a business, if you are providing food on a regular and organised basis, you are a food business under food law. Once you have registered as a food business, local authority officers will make arrangements to visit your home to conduct a food hygiene inspection.

What is the 2 hour 4 hour rule for food safety?

The 2-hour/4-hour food safety rule dictates how long potentially hazardous foods (like cooked meats, dairy, cooked rice) can safely stay in the "temperature danger zone" (between 40°F/4°C and 140°F/60°C) before bacteria grow to unsafe levels, requiring disposal after 4 hours or sooner in hot weather. If food is out less than 2 hours, refrigerate it; between 2-4 hours, it's still okay to eat but should be refrigerated quickly; over 4 hours, discard it immediately to prevent food poisoning.
 

How Much Does it Cost to get a Food License in the U.K. ( FULL PODCAST BREAKDOWN)

What food can I make at home and sell?

✅ Foods Commonly Allowed Under Cottage Food Laws

Baked Goods: Cookies, muffins, and breads that don't contain cream fillings. These are popular at farmers' markets because they're easy to package and transport. Cakes & Cupcakes: Allowed if they're shelf‑stable (no whipped cream, custard, or cream cheese frostings).

Do I need insurance to sell food?

Strict Licensing Obligations: Whether you operate a central kitchen or a catering stall at a weekend market, London boroughs require proof of insurance as a condition of your license. Without it, you cannot legally trade.

Can I sell cakes from home as a hobby?

You'll need to register with Environmental Health. This can be done by contacting your local authority and being transferred to their Environmental Health Department. Inform them that you are starting up a cake business from home and they will talk you through the necessary steps to get you registered.

What is the most profitable food to sell in the UK?

Pizza and pasta

Italian food is a firm favourite among the UK population and can be far more profitable than other cuisines. As well as its popularity, a big reason behind its success is the fact that a large proportion of the menu is pizza- or pasta-based and therefore relatively cheap to produce.

Can I sell food without a food hygiene certificate?

No, a food hygiene certificate isn't a strict legal requirement to sell food in the UK, but food business operators must provide appropriate food hygiene training for their staff (which can be on-the-job or self-study) and having a certificate is the best way to prove this to local authorities and demonstrate due diligence, as you still need to register your business and follow all food safety laws. 

What is A3 food license UK?

The A3 Use class incorporates restaurants and cafés (For the sale of food and drink for consumption on the premises – restaurants, snack bars and cafes).

Who is exempt from registering as a food business?

places where the main activity is not food-related (for example, a barber providing coffee) places where food is only sold through vending machines. certain agricultural premises, motor cars, tents and marquees (but not stalls) some domestic premises.

Can I park my food truck anywhere in the UK?

No, you cannot park your food truck anywhere in the UK; you need local council permission, often a street trading licence, as each authority has designated areas (consent streets) and prohibited zones, with fines for unlicensed operation, so always check with the specific council for rules on public land and landowner consent for private property. 

Is it illegal to sell food without a license in the UK?

If you store, prepare, distribute or sell food on premises, it is a legal requirement to register your business. If you run a food business without registering it, you may be fined or imprisoned for up to two years or both.

What insurance do you need to make food?

As a business owner in the food or beverage business, general liability insurance is the essential insurance you need. It covers common risks such as property damage and personal injury claims, ensuring your business is adequately protected.

What happens if you get caught delivering food without food insurance?

If caught delivering food without proper Hire & Reward (H&R) insurance, you face serious penalties, including hefty fines (up to £300+ or unlimited in court), points on your license, potential driving disqualification, and vehicle seizure, because regular car insurance doesn't cover paid deliveries, and it's an illegal act, meaning your claim if you cause an accident would be denied and you'd be liable for all damages.

What is the 2 2 2 rule for food?

Remember this general rule of thumb when you have leftovers. ✅ You have 2 hours to get food into the fridge. ✅ It's safe in the fridge for 2 days. ✅ If you're not going to eat it after that, move it to the freezer and eat within 2 months.

What is the easiest food to sell?

Fries are a low-cost, high-margin food that's easy to prepare and universally popular. The cost of ingredients—potatoes and oil—is minimal, while adding specialty seasonings or toppings can increase the value perceived by customers. Fries are also easy to upsell, especially when bundled with items like burgers.

What homemade item sells the most?

50 things to make and sell online

• Necklaces. Handmade jewelry is a great product to make and sell from home. ...
• Earrings. Earrings are one of the simplest crafts to make and sell. ...
• Friendship bracelets. ...
• Canvas paintings. ...
• Art prints. ...
• Coloring books. ...
• Pillowcases. ...
• Candles.

What is the 3 second rule in food?

The five-second rule, or sometimes the three-second rule, is a food hygiene urban legend that states a defined time window after which it is not safe to eat food (or sometimes to use cutlery) after it has been dropped on the floor or on the ground and thus exposed to contamination.

How long can food sit out unrefrigerated?

Bacteria can grow rapidly on food left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. If food is left out in a room or outdoors where the temperature is 90 degrees F or hotter, food should be refrigerated or discarded within just 1 hour. Myth: When I microwave food, the microwaves kill the bacteria.

What certificates do I need to sell food from home?

You are required to have food hygiene training and you should be able to show that you have had suitable training. A certificate in food hygiene would be acceptable. Find out more about food safety training on the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health website.