Food safety: information for food businesses

How to register your food business, meet hygiene standards, and get allergen and labelling guidance.

The Regulatory Services Business Support Team is responsible for enforcing food legislation in around 2,000 business operating within the Portsmouth City Council area.

Food Business Operators (FBOs) must register 28 days prior to starting to trade. Almost all businesses handling food or drinks must register. Some may require approval (see below). We will acknowledge your registration by post and include an ‘Awaiting Inspection’ sticker as part of the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme.

Information for food businesses

Our Regulatory Services guide for new food businesses has information to help you run your business and achieve a higher Food Hygiene Rating.

Anyone can search the Food Standards Agency’s Food Hygiene Ratings website to find out a rating about a Portsmouth food business.

We also cover food standards matters include labelling, allergen information, composition, and food claims.

We investigate complaints relating to food and the conditions found within food premises in Portsmouth. We deal with:

reports of infectious diseases, in co-operation with the NHS and the UK Health Security Agency (whether foodborne or not)
the sampling and testing of animal feed, and the inspection of animal feed businesses within the city

The Port Health Authority inspects vessels and produce entering via Portsmouth Ports, as well as testing of seawater around the city’s beaches for contamination (including local shellfish beds in Portsmouth and Langstone Harbour).

Our food service plan will be published here once it has been approved.