First, understand the food production and business license system

The food production and operation license system is an important part of food safety management in China, aiming at standardizing food production and operation behavior and ensuring food quality and safety.

Second, prepare the materials needed for the application.

Before applying for permission, food producers and operators need to prepare relevant application materials, such as business license of enterprise legal person, food safety management system, food safety management personnel certificate, etc.

Third, submit the application and accept the audit.

Food producers and business operators shall submit application materials to the local food and drug supervision and administration department, and accept on-site verification and data review. The contents of the review include production sites, equipment and facilities, raw material procurement, processing, storage and transportation.

Fourth, obtain a license and operate in compliance.

After passing the examination, food producers and business operators shall obtain a food production and business license and operate in accordance with the scope and conditions stipulated in the license.

To sum up:

Food producers and operators, including staff canteens, must apply for food production and operation licenses before opening to ensure food safety and public health. In the process of application, it is necessary to prepare and review relevant materials, and must operate in compliance after obtaining permission.

Legal basis:

People's Republic of China (PRC) Food Safety Law

Article 35 provides that:

The state practices a licensing system for food production and marketing. Engaged in food production, food sales, catering services, shall obtain a license according to law. However, sales of edible agricultural products and sales only in prepackaged foods do not require a license. Only selling prepackaged foods shall be reported to the food safety supervision and administration department of the local people's government at or above the county level for the record.

Regulations on the Implementation of People's Republic of China (PRC) Food Safety Law

Article 1 1 stipulates:

To apply for a food production license, one should first obtain the qualifications of a legal subject such as a business license. Enterprise legal person, partnership enterprise, sole proprietorship enterprise, individual industrial and commercial households, etc. The applicant is the subject specified in the business license.