Food Shop Licence

A food shop refers to a shop operating in an independent unit such as a takeaway kiosk, snack counter, restaurant, etc. Stalls within a canteen, coffee shop, eating house or food court cannot apply for this licence.

List of Food Businesses

1. Bakery

2. Bakery (Retail without baking)

3. Canteen (Construction Site)

4. Canteen with Catering

5. Canteen with Stalls

6. Canteen with Stalls (School)

7. Canteen without Stalls

8. Coffeeshop / Eating House

9. Food Cart (Take Away)

10. Food Caterer

11. Food Court

12. Food Vending Machines

13. Foodshop selling takeaway foods

14. Foodshop (Market Produce)

15. Foodshop (Pets Allowed)

16. Grilling and Sale of Grilled Meat Products

17. In-house Kitchen

18. Mobile Food Wagon

19. Others

20. Private Market

21. Pubs, Bars, Nightclubs, Discos

22. Restaurant

23. Restaurant with Catering

24. Sales of Herbal Tea

25. Snack Counter

Food Shop Licence Application

1. Submit complete application with layout plan in GoBusiness

Upload the layout plan drawn to scale of the premises in metric units. Refers to equipment layout plan of the premises, showing placement of exhaust, chillers, freezers, ovens, wash basins, taps, etc

Upon receipt of a complete application, SFA will process and issue the In-Principle Approval (IPA) within 5 working days. Upon receipt of the IPA, you may proceed with the renovation. Please refer to the IPA for the licensing requirements that you will need to comply with.

You must prepare the documents stated in the IPA as soon as possible and upload them in GoBusiness. The documents include URA’s Change of Use or HDB’s approval, tenancy agreement, cleaning program and pest control contract. It is also important that you plan the renovation and equipment set up schedule ahead of time so as to minimise the time taken for renovation.

2. Book a pre-licensing inspection for my food shop upon completion of renovation

Please make an appointment for the inspection at least 7 days in advance. Please provide the relevant information (premises address, application number/licence number, name and contact number) in your request. SFA will confirm your pre-licensing inspection date within 2 working days.

During the inspection, SFA will verify if the setup of the premises is in accordance to the layout plan submitted and whether all the items listed in the IPA have been complied with. For example, SFA will check if exhaust is fitted with an air-cleaner, floor trap for the discharge of wastewater to sewer, adequate washing facilities, storage facilities and etc. At the end of the pre-licensing inspection, the officer will issue you with an inspection report

If there are no outstanding issues, the officer will recommend the application for approval.

However, if there are outstanding items that required to be rectified/complied at the end of the pre-licensing inspection, the officer will indicate in the inspection report. Please comply with these outstanding items and inform the inspection officer.

When you have complied with the outstanding items, the officer will recommend the application for approval.

3. Make payment after licence approval

Upon full compliance to licensing requirements and submission of required documents, SFA will approve the application within 3 working days.

Licensees can print their own licences upon successful payment.

Provide information on your food hygiene personnel

Select the most relevant “Role” and “Course Type” attended.

Role: Food Handler / Food Hygiene Officer / Food Safety Management System Personnel

Course Type: Basic Food Hygiene Course Certificate / Food Hygiene Officer Course Certificate / Food Safety Management System Course Certificate

At least one food handler personnel details must be submitted

Food Hygiene Officers are only required for the following types of food businesses:

• Restaurant

o Housed in two or more adjacent units in private and HDB shophouses; or

o With kitchen area exceeding 16m2

• Caterer

• Canteen

• Food court

Food Safety Management System (FSMS) Personnel are for food businesses which need to implement FSMS (such as caterers and those permitted to cater).

Cost of food shop licence and length of validity

The Food Shop Licence including entertainment outlets serving food e.g. pub, bar, discotheque, and night club, costs $195.00 and is valid for one year.

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