Requirements for Licence / Registration for Food Manufacturing & Storage

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What are the general requirements?

To apply for a licence or register with SFA to operate a Coldstore, Food Processing Establishment, Slaughterhouse or Food Storage Warehouse, you must:

1. Register your business with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA)

2. Secure a location/premise

You must secure a location/premise for your intended business operations prior to submitting an application.

Type of establishment
Coldstores, Food Processing Establishments and Slaughterhouses	They should be located within a food zone area or an area with compatible industrial uses. a) Food zone areas can be found in the List of Areas with Licensed Food Repacking / Manufacturing / Storage Establishments. b) For areas/buildings outside approved food buildings or food zone areas, SFA will conduct an assessment to evaluate the suitability of the site for coldstores and food processing activities, and will require the following information: clearance from the land/premise owner i.e. JTC or URA (for change of use) clearance from NEA (for pollution control). You are required to submit an Industrial Siting Consultation (ISC) via the NEA website. clearance from MCST/building management/landlord (if applicable) To obtain clearance from NEA, submit an Industrial Siting Consultation (ISC) via the NEA website.
Food Storage Warehouses	These should be located in an area with compatible industrial uses such as URA's Business Use (B1) or (B2) zones. To check if your premises fall within B1 or B2, visit the URA website.

Type of establishment

Coldstores, Food Processing Establishments and Slaughterhouses

They should be located within a food zone area or an area with compatible industrial uses.

a) Food zone areas can be found in the List of Areas with Licensed Food Repacking / Manufacturing / Storage Establishments.

b) For areas/buildings outside approved food buildings or food zone areas, SFA will conduct an assessment to evaluate the suitability of the site for coldstores and food processing activities, and will require the following information:

clearance from the land/premise owner i.e. JTC or URA (for change of use)
clearance from NEA (for pollution control). You are required to submit an Industrial Siting Consultation (ISC) via the NEA website.
clearance from MCST/building management/landlord (if applicable)

To obtain clearance from NEA, submit an Industrial Siting Consultation (ISC) via the NEA website.

Food Storage Warehouses

These should be located in an area with compatible industrial uses such as URA's Business Use (B1) or (B2) zones. To check if your premises fall within B1 or B2, visit the URA website.

3. Ensure your Food Handlers are qualified

All food handlers in food processing establishments, cold stores and slaughterhouses are required to hold a valid WSQ FSC Level 1 certification. For more details, see Requirements for Food Handlers.

What are the licensing conditions?

SFA’s licensing conditions require licensees to set up their operations and premises with the proper infrastructure and features to ensure food safety.

You should review the conditions carefully and ensure you are able to meet them, to minimise any unnecessary inconvenience and costs arising from the need for remedial action.

Licence/Registration	Conditions
Licence to Operate a Coldstore	Conditions of licensing for meat, fish and egg processing establishments and coldstores
Licence to Operate a Food Processing Establishment	Conditions of licensing for meat, fish and egg processing establishments and coldstores Conditions of licensing for food establishments Additional conditions of licensing for food processing establishments processing insects & insect products as food
Licence to Operate Slaughterhouse	Conditions of licensing for poultry slaughterhouses Conditions of licensing for pig slaughterhouses
Registration of Food Storage Warehouses (non-meat/non-fish)	Warehouse operators are advised to align their practices to SFA’s Good Warehousing Practices (GWP) [English / 中文]

SFA’s licensing and registration requirements and conditions seek to safeguard food safety. Contact SFA if you need help understanding or complying with the conditions.

Are licensed establishments allowed to sublet?

If a licensee subleases the premises, in part or in whole, to other entities, the new operator must apply for a new licence.

For cloud kitchens, each subdivided unit must apply for its own licence.

What laws must licensed establishments and registered warehouses comply with?

You must comply with the prevailing food safety laws, their subsidiary legislation, and the licensing conditions.

For more information
You can contact us via the SFA Online Feedback Form.

Last updated: 18 Apr 2026

Application Process & Fees for Licence / Registration for Food Manufacturing & Storage