The Buller District Council is required to register and inspect all food premises including mobile shops and food stalls. Inspections ensure that these businesses are complying with their legislative requirements.
The Food Hygiene Regulations 1974 require food premises to obtain a Certificate of Registration before food can be prepared or manufactured for public sale. It is an offence to operate a food premises without a current registration certificate.
The Certificate of Registration will only be issued when the premises complies with the standards set down in the Regulations. This will be determined through inspections by the Environmental Health Officer.
The basic requirements are:
- All food preparation and storage/display area surfaces must be continuously smooth, impervious to water, readily cleanable and light coloured.
- Floors must be coved to the walls and permanent fixtures.
- Lighting and ventilation must be adequate.
- There must be hot and cold running water and a wash hand basin must be convenient to the food preparation area and separate from other sinks.
- There should be staff toilet and changing facilities.
- You must arrange management of cleaning practices, personal hygiene policies, pest control, building maintenance and staff training.
- Registration is renewable each year from 1st July or if the business changes hands.
Registration requirements are set out in the First Schedule of the Food Hygiene Regulations 1974.
If you intend to sell liquor on your premises or have patrons bring liquor for consumption on the premises while dining, you will need to apply for an ON-Licence, a requirement of the Sale of Liquor Act 1989. For further information contact our Liquor Licensing Inspector or view the information on our website under Liquor.
For any advice on registration of food premises, please contact our Environmental Health Officer, Pete Casey, on 03 788 9111 or 021 188 4869. For all new registrations you will be required to complete an application for new licence. (See link below)
Application for New Licence