We regulate all food businesses in Leeds. Food businesses must be registered with us before they can prepare and sell food for public consumption.
We inspect food businesses regularly to make sure that they meet the hygiene standards outlined in the food safety legislation. We also test drinking water supplies and products from food outlets across Leeds, to check they don't contain unsafe levels of bacteria or other microbes.
We also promote awareness of food hygiene and safety in the food industry. We offer information and advice to businesses on all aspects of food hygiene, including practical guidance on how to make sure food businesses meet the legal requirements.
The level of food hygiene at food premises in the city is assessed during our inspections and the results are now available to the public in the form of a rating system on the internet. To access this information use the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme website. See our Food Hygiene Rating System page.
We will also investigate complaints about food premises in Leeds and food bought in Leeds where these involve significant risks to health or breaches of the law.
Registering a food business
Operators of premises used for a food business (storage, preparation, distribution or sales) must register them with the local authority. Premises include restaurants, cafes, hotels, shops, canteens, market stalls, mobile catering vans and food delivery vans. You can download a food premises registration form from the Downloads tab below.
Prior approval for certain food premises
Some food premises need prior approval before they can operate (e.g. meat processing plants, meat preparation plants, minced meat processing operations, mechanically separated meat processing plants and cold stores). You should contact us to see if you need approval. You can apply on line for premises approval by clicking on the Business link in Downloads tab.
You can download guidance documents which can be found on the Food Standards Agency's website, see external links on the right ;
- Food hygiene: a guide for businesses
- Starting Up: Your first steps to running a catering business
Food poisoning and infectious diseases
Please refer to our page on food poisoning and infectious diseases from the related pages tab.
You can contact us on telephone 0113 247 6286 or email us food.safety@leeds.gov.uk
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