Pure order-taking with supplier delivery differs from home packing and refrigeration. Explain the entire food process when applying.
What to have ready
Before you start
FEHD's current online restricted-food guidance describes a permit route for approved-supplier products where no handling or storage occurs at the online business premises. Cutting, packing, storing or preparing food yourself requires assessment under the appropriate licensing route. Since 2025, a composite permit option can cover multiple restricted foods through the same platform, subject to the actual items and model. Do not assume either online selling or a composite permit authorises every preparation activity.
What to do, step by step
- Map where food is prepared, packed, refrigerated and delivered after an order, including temporary storage. Ask FEHD which licence or permit applies to that real process before selling. A social-media account or home kitchen description cannot conceal handling that changes the relevant premises requirements.
- Check whether each food falls into a restricted category and verify the supplier's approval and actual source. Obtain licence information, product lists and packing/transport arrangements. For imported food, separately assess import or distribution duties rather than treating a retail permit as complete coverage of the supply chain.
- Use the current FEHB95B form and guide to select the applicable individual or composite online permit, accurately identifying platform, address and food categories. After approval, display permit information as required by its conditions. Do not advertise another operator's number as evidence that your own online shop is permitted.
- Agree temperature, sealed packaging, handover and failed-delivery handling with suppliers and carriers, keeping batch traceability. Before changing platforms or adding your own packing, ask what amendments or permissions are needed. Train staff to stop an unsuitable delivery rather than send perishable food onward with no reliable condition record.
Costs, timing, and things to check
Older pages may describe a separate permit for every item; newer composite-permit guidance updates that choice. Read current application instructions together with the food, platform and location details. A quoted permit charge does not establish that the proposed operation fits its conditions.
Assess cold-chain arrangements, labels, allergens and product claims separately. Third-party manufacturing does not remove the seller's need to manage these matters. For a complaint, preserve batch, order and supplier communications and follow the applicable official route, with a practical method to identify other affected deliveries.
A practical example
An online shop offers frozen meat and sashimi packed and delivered by the supplier. The owner checks the current guidance for suitable online and composite permissions. A later proposal to portion goods and store them in an office refrigerator triggers a new FEHD enquiry before implementation. The existing online permit is not presumed to cover those activities. The website displays accurate permit information and permitted product categories.
Seek permission for the real food process and reassess when handling or storage changes.
Official information and enquiries
These are the reference and service entry points for this guide. Check current fees, eligibility, and schedules with the authority. The preparation date is not each source's official update date.