Food Shop Licence

Apply for Food Shop Licence

Singapore Food Agency (SFA)

Apply on GoBusiness Licensing

Application Details

For the operation of a food shop where there is retail sale of food and/or beverage. You will need to apply for a Food Shop Licence if you intend to operate a retail food outlet where food and/or drink are sold wholly by retail. This is a requirement under the Environmental Public Health Act. The purpose of licensing is to ensure cleanliness and food safety in food retail outlets and to prevent food-borne diseases.
You may refer below on the steps for application of Food Shop Licence.

Step 1: Submit complete application in GoBusiness

• For complete application with layout plan, SFA will issue the In-Principle Approval (IPA) via email and GoBusiness portal at https://www.gobusiness.gov.sg/licences under "submitted documents" tab of your application. With the IPA, applicants may proceed with the renovation.
• To avoid delays, please prepare the documents stated in the IPA and upload them in GoBusiness portal at https://www.gobusiness.gov.sg/licences under "submitted documents" tab of your application.
• Incomplete application will be rejected.
• Service standard: 5 working days if application is complete and in order, 5 working days if application is incomplete

Step 2: Book pre-licensing inspection upon completion of renovation

• Make an appointment for inspection 7 days in advance via SFA online feedback form.
• To avoid delays, applicants should ensure that all the items listed in the IPA have been complied with.
• Service standard: 2 workings days to confirm inspection date

Step 3: Make payment after licence approval

• Upon full compliance to licensing requirements and submission of required documents, SFA will approve the application. You will receive a notification via email and GoBusiness within 3 working days.
  • For applicants with existing GIRO arrangement with SFA, you may start business after receiving SFA's email approval.
  • For applicants not on GIRO, you may start your business after you have made payment via AXS or GoBusiness.
• Licensees can print their own licences upon successful payment made on or after 1 January 2022.

FAQs

1. How soon can I hear from SFA after I submit my application?
   Refer to Step 1. If you have submitted your complete application with all required supporting documents in GoBusiness, SFA will respond to you within 5 working days.
   Any incomplete or incorrect submission will be rejected.
   
   
2. When can I start my renovation?
   Refer to 1 Step. Upon receipt of a complete application (see Step 1), SFA will process and issue an IPA via email within 5 working days. You can also download the IPA at "Submitted documents" tab of your application.
   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 may also refer to Licensing Requirements on SFA website.
   To avoid delays, you must prepare the documents stated in the IPA 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.
   
   
3. When is the earliest I can book a pre-licensing inspection for my food shop? How can I book an inspection?
   Refer to Step 2. Please book the pre-licensing inspection at least 7 days in advance. You can log a request for the pre-licensing inspection. Please provide the relevant information (premises address, application number/licence number, name and contact number) in your request. SFA will confirmed your pre-licensing inspection date within 2 working days.
   
   
4. What will be inspected during the pre-licensing inspection?
   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 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 as per Step 3.
   
   
5. When do I submit the documents to SFA?
   You should prepare the documents stated in the IPA as soon as possible and upload the documents in GoBusiness portal. The documents include URA's Change of Use or HDB approval, tenancy agreement, cleaning program and pest control contract.
   
   
6. How soon will my application be approved after inspection?
   Refer to Step 3. SFA will approve the application within 3 working days upon applicant's full compliance to licensing requirements and submission of required documents.
   
   
7. When can I commence business?
   Refer to Step 3 on when you may commence business.
   
   
8. How much does this licence cost and how long is it valid?
   The Food Shop Licence including entertainment outlets (pub, bar, discotheque, night club etc) costs S$195.00 and is valid for one year.
   Please note no refund of fees will be allowed once payment has been made.
   
   
9. Who can I contact for further details?
   For general enquiries or enquiries regarding your application status, please submit your enquiry and GoBusiness Licensing application ID through SFA online feedback form.
   If you have not submitted your licence application, you may do so online via GoBusiness Licensing. You may also renew or cancel your licence via this platform.
   
   
10. I am a foreigner with a valid employment pass issued by MOM. Can I apply for the licence in my name?
    No. You will have to form a company that is registered with the Accounting & Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) and apply for the licence in the company's name.
    
    
11. I operate a pub/ discotheque and intend to have a drinks counter selling alcoholic drinks. Do I need to apply for a licence?
    Yes. You will need to apply for a food shop licence if you intend to operate a drinks or snack counter in your premises.
    
    
12. Can I submit my application while I'm still looking for a premises to operate my business?
    No. You can only submit your application once you have secured a premises to operate your business.
    
    
13. Can I commence the operation of my foodshop when the Food Services Department has informed me of in-principle no objection to my foodshop application?
    You can only commence the operation of the foodshop after we have approved the foodshop application, and that you have made payment. Please keep the receipt of payment, and the licence will be mailed to you within 7 working days from payment date.
    
    
14. What is the consequence if I am unable to comply with some of the hygiene requirements?
    If you are unable to comply with any of our hygiene requirements, you will not be issued with the licence.
    
    
15. What will be the consequences if I provide false information in my application for a licence?
    Providing false information in your application is a serious offence. Your licence can be suspended, cancelled or revoked. Enforcement action can also be taken against you.
    
    
16. I have taken over an existing food shop but I am unable to contact the previous licensee to surrender/cancel his licence for the same premises. How do I apply for the licence in this instance?
    You can still submit your application together with all the supporting documents to us. However, for such cases, we will need to write to the previous licensee to confirm whether he is still operating the business at the said premises. If the previous licensee indicates that he is no longer operating the said premises or did not response, then we can proceed to process your application. The processing time for such cases will take about 2 weeks.
    
    
17. I intend to set up a food premises that make food items (e.g. buns, breads, nasi lemak, otah, etc) for supply to other foodshops and foodstalls. Do I need to apply for a food shop licence?
    You need not apply for a foodshop licence if your proposed food business does not involve the retail sale of food directly to the customer. However, you may need to obtain a food factory licence from the Food Production & Processing Department (FPPD), SFA, for your proposed business.
    
    
18. Do I need to apply for a food shop licence if I were to prepare and cook food from my home for sale to the public?
    Please be informed that under the current regulations, it is an offence to sell home cooked food to the public.
    
    
19. Can I update, renew or terminate my food shop licence through GoBusiness Licensing?  Yes. You may update, renew and terminate your foodshop licence through GoBusiness Licensing.
    
    
20. What are the challenges of operating a F & B business?
    Please refer to the "Turning Passion into Profit" guide to understand the challenges faced by the F & B industry and managing your business.

Additional Information

Fee

The Food Shop Licence including entertainment outlets (pub, bar, discotheque, night club etc.) costs S$195.00 and is valid for one year.

Documents Needed

• Planning Permission/Change of Use approval
  Approval from URA/HDB for the use of the premises
  File format: DOC,DOCX,GIF,JPG,PNG,PDF
  Maximum upload per application: 2MB
  
  
• A copy of Applicant's NRIC
  A copy of NRIC if application is under Individual
  File format: DOC,DOCX,GIF,JPG,PNG,PDF
  Maximum upload per application: 2MB
  
  
• A copy of ACRA registered Company Business Profile
  
  A copy of ACRA registered Company Business Profile
  File format: DOC,DOCX,GIF,JPG,PNG,PDF
  Maximum upload per application: 2MB
  
  
• Letter of authorization (if filer option is selected)
  
  Letter of authorization from applicant for the filer to act on behalf
  File format: DOC,DOCX,GIF,JPG,PNG,PDF
  Maximum upload per application: 2MB
  
  
• Layout plan of the premises
  Layout Plan (to scale)
  File format: DOC,DOCX,GIF,JPG,PNG,PDF
  Maximum upload per application: 2MB
  
  
• Floor plan (location plan)
  Floor plan to indicate the location of premises
  File format: DOC,DOCX,GIF,JPG,PNG,PDF
  Maximum upload per application: 2MB

Requirements

Prerequisite Licence(s)

ACRA - Registration for Companies / Business