Your business may need to operate under one of the following:
- Template Food Control Plan
- Custom Food Control Plan
- My Food Plan
- National Programme 1
- National Programme 2
- National Programme 3
- Risk Management Programme, where applicable
- Other MPI-related food safety requirements, depending on the business activity
The Registration Process
If you are unsure which pathway applies, we can help review your food activities and provide initial guidance on the likely registration pathway.
Identify the Correct Plan or Programme
The first step is to identify which food safety plan or programme applies to your business. This depends on your actual food activities — Template Food Control Plan, Custom Food Control Plan, My Food Plan, National Programme 1/2/3, or a Risk Management Programme.
Prepare the Required Food Safety Documents
Once the correct pathway is identified, prepare the required food safety procedures, cleaning and sanitising procedures, temperature control records, supplier records, allergen management procedures, and other supporting documents.
Evaluation, if Required
Some custom Food Control Plans need to be evaluated before registration to check whether the plan is suitable for the business activities and likely to produce safe and suitable food if followed correctly.
Choose a Verifier Before Registration, Where Required
Some businesses must contact a verifier before registration, commonly for businesses operating under a National Programme or custom Food Control Plan. The verifier may need to provide written confirmation as part of the registration application.
Submit the Registration Application
The registration authority depends on the type of plan or programme and where the business operates — your local council, MPI, or multiple councils for multi-site businesses.
Receive Registration Confirmation
Once approved, you will receive registration confirmation or a certificate. You must then operate according to the registered plan, keep required records, and arrange verification within the required timeframe.
Arrange the First Verification
After registration, the first verification must be arranged within the required timeframe, depending on whether the business is new or existing and what plan or programme applies.
How We Can Help With Registration
- Identifying the likely registration pathway
- Reviewing food activities and scope of operations
- Preparing food safety documents and records
- Food Control Plan evaluation, where applicable and within recognised scope
- Verifier confirmation, where applicable and within recognised scope
- Registration preparation support
- First verification preparation
- Corrective action support after verification
After Registration — The Food Business Verification Process
After your food business is registered, you will need to arrange verification within the required timeframe. Verification is an independent check to confirm that your business is following good food safety practices, keeping required records and managing food safety risks in day-to-day operations.
Verification checks may include:
- Whether your business is following the Food Control Plan or National Programme in practice
- Temperature monitoring records — cooking, cooling, chilling and hot-holding
- Cleaning and sanitising records
- Allergen management and cross-contamination controls
- Staff hygiene practices
- Supplier records and receiving checks
- Traceability and recall readiness
- Date marking and stock rotation
- Corrective action records
- Staff training records
The frequency of verification depends on your food safety performance, business risk level and plan or programme type. Businesses that manage food safety well may be verified less frequently than businesses with repeated issues.
View the Full Verification Process →
Not Sure Which Food Safety Registration Applies to Your Business?
Contact us for free initial guidance. We can help you understand whether your business may need a Food Control Plan, National Programme, My Food Plan, RMP or other food safety support.