FOOD PREMISES & PREPARATION - FAQ
FAQ Question Links
Can I prepare food in a domestic kitchen?
Generally the answer is No.
Food for sale can only be prepared on premises registered as ‘Food Premises’ under the Food Hygiene Regulations 1974. These regulations provide that the premises must be used exclusively for the purpose of preparing food. A domestic kitchen does not meet the requirements as it can be used for other domestic purposes.
However, if it is going to be donated to a charitable organisation stall, then the food can be prepared in a domestic kitchen.
Premises with an approved Food Safety Programme are also exempt from the requirement to be registered under the Food Hygiene Regulations.
(A Food Safety Programme is approved by the Ministry of Health).
Who do I complain to about conditions/conduct in Food premises?
If the complaint is about the condition of the premises or about the way the food handler is handling the food, then contact the Council’s Environmental Health Officer, phone (03) 433 0300.
Matters that should be referred include:
- people not washing their hands after using the toilet, combing their hair or blowing their nose
- food sitting unprotected on the counter where customers could cough or sneeze over it
- dirty premises
- animals in the food preparation area
- food handlers smoking in the food preparation area
- perishable food not stored under refrigeration
- vermin (rats, mice, insects or birds) in the premises
The following matters should be referred directly to Public Health South, Dunedin, ph (03) 474 1700:
- insufficient information on food labels
Public Health South also deal with the following issues but, as this is an important issue to you, your Council Environmental Health Officer will take the initial enquiry to ensure it is dealt with promptly:
- illness after eating food purchased from food premises
- foreign objects in food or contaminated food
What is the registration period of a Health Registration Licence?
Health Registrations for premises are for a 12 month period running from 1 July to 30 June the following year.
Operations that need to be registered under the Health Act are:
- food premises (including mobile shops & hawkers selling food)
- hairdressers
- offensive trades
- saleyards
- funeral directors
- camping grounds
The below are also required to be licensed under Council’s bylaws.
- mobile shops (trades from the street via vehicle/trailer-customer comes to them)
- hawkers (sell ‘door to door’, they go to the customer)
How do I go about setting up a food business?
There is a booklet available, outlining the standards and conditions your business will need to meet.
Starting a small business selling food (external link)
You should contact the Council (03) 433 0300 and explain that you need to meet with a Health Officer, to go through the book, and discuss what you are required to do.
Is it illegal for a shop to sell product beyond its 'Use By' date?
Please contact the Public Health South for information regarding this topic.
Public Health South, Ministry of Health, Dunedin 03 4741700
What are the requirements I must meed to be allowed to sell Food or Alcohol?
You must be registered to sell food
You must have a liquor license
When do I NOT need a food licence?
A food outlet that is open to the general public does not have to have to be registered with the Council under the Food Hygiene Regulations 1974.
A staff Cafeteria, Rest home or school canteen etc, MUST still comply with certain requirements in relation to:
- Cleanliness
- Food Saftey and
- Structural condition
These premises maybe inspected occasionally, which may incur a fee.
Can I setup a food business from home ?
FIRST - you would need to check with the WDC Planning department to see if your home is within a 'zone' that allows home business of this nature.
THEN - your food business would need to be registered. Link here for more information
Does the content of food need to be declared?
Please contact the Public Health South for information regarding this topic.
Public Health South, Ministry of Health, Dunedin 03 4741700
Where can I get Food & Hygiene training?
Training is available at the Aoraki Polytechnic, either in Oamaru or Timaru.
Contact the Aoraki Polytechnic for dates and Costs.
I am buying a registered food premises, what should I do ?
You should arrange the purchase through your solicitor.
Council can not release any health report to a prospective buyer, however, we would suggest that you contact the existing owner and request a copy of the latest health report on the premises, or alternatively the owner can authorise us to release the report for you to have a look at
Please Note - Requests for an inspection of food premises can only be done by the current owner.
Council held info that you would check is:
- the registration is current and fee has been paid
- the registration fee amount
- a LIM report will show if there are any requisitions, requirements or conditions related to the business or the property (this only relates to the structural features)
- the cost of the transfer fee
After taking over the premises, you are required to transfer the registration into your name within 14 days.
Can I sell food at a school, church fair or a hangi?
If it is a one off charity organisation or fundraiser then no health registration is required. Such events are classed as ‘Occasional Food Premises’ that are not expected to occur more than 12 times a year, however, basic food handling and food safety practices must still be followed.
If you are wanting to sell food as a commercial business for personal profit more than 12 times a year, then you would have to be registered as a Food Premises.
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