Takeaways face the same food law as restaurants plus their own wrinkles: late-night licensing, delivery labelling and packaging waste. Here's the full list, honestly labelled.
How to use this: every item is tagged honestly — Legal requirement means the law requires it; Strongly recommended means inspectors, insurers or licensing officers expect it. 19 items in total. Tap any item for the detail. This is general information, not legal advice.
Registration is free and can't be refused, but trading unregistered is an offence. If you've moved premises or changed owner, you must register again.
Most small businesses use the FSA's free Safer Food, Better Business pack. Inspectors ask for it — keeping it current is one of the biggest factors in your hygiene rating.
Your council's environmental health officers can inspect without warning. Serious breaches of the Food Safety Act 1990 carry unlimited fines and possible prosecution.
England, Wales and Northern Ireland use the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (0–5); Scotland uses the Food Hygiene Information Scheme. Ratings are published at ratings.food.gov.uk for anyone to see.
Display is compulsory in Wales and Northern Ireland. In England it's voluntary — but a missing sticker makes customers assume the worst.
If you disagree with a rating you have 21 days to appeal, and after fixing issues you can request a paid re-visit. Don't wait for a bad rating to learn the process.
For food sold loose (made to order), allergen information must be available in writing or clearly signposted. Staff answers of 'probably fine' are how prosecutions start.
Since 1 October 2021 (Natasha's Law), anything packed on site before order — sandwiches, salads, cakes in wrap — needs a full ingredient list with the 14 allergens emphasised.
One untrained weekend hire can undo everything. Keep a training record — inspectors ask, and it's your evidence of due diligence.
Pavement seating, A-boards, late-night refreshment (hot food/drink between 11pm and 5am in England & Wales), music, street trading — each can need its own permission from your council.
Lapsed licences are treated as no licence. Renewal reminders from councils are a courtesy, not a guarantee.
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (England & Wales; equivalent rules apply in Scotland and NI), the 'responsible person' must assess fire risk and record the findings.
Blocked fire exits are among the most common — and most cheaply avoidable — enforcement findings in small premises.
New equipment, new seating layout, new storage — each can invalidate your existing assessment.
Business waste can't go in household bins. Duty-of-care paperwork (transfer notes) must be kept and produced on request.
Since 31 March 2025, English workplaces with 10 or more full-time-equivalent staff must separate dry recycling and food waste. Micro firms (under 10) are scheduled to follow from 31 March 2027 — start early.
Wales and Scotland run their own (in places stricter) business recycling regimes — check your council's business waste pages.
Hot food or drink supplied between 11pm and 5am needs authorisation — the classic takeaway trap when extending hours.
Distance sales need allergen information both before purchase (menu/website) and at delivery.
ScanToComply watches the official government, council and regulator pages behind this checklist every day, and alerts you by SMS and email the moment something changes. Most owners choose the Pro plan at £19.99/month — 14-day free trial, no card needed.
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Yes. Allergen information must be available before the customer buys and again when the food is delivered — the responsibility doesn't move to the app.
Serving hot food or drink between 11pm and 5am in England & Wales needs a late-night refreshment authorisation from your council. Apply before extending hours, not after.
Want city-specific rules too? See our free compliance guides.
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