Food premises licence

Any person in New Brunswick who wants to operate a food premises needs a food premises licence. Food premises include restaurants, grocery stores, abattoirs (slaughterhouses), dairy plants, mobile food premises, public market premises, temporary event food premises or premises that prepare food for wholesale distribution. 

A licence may be issued to any person or company who has completed an application, with all corresponding documentation, and demonstrated compliance with the Public Health Act and its regulations.  

Licences are issued by the Department of Justice and Public Safety and are valid until March 31 of each year, with the exception of temporary event food premises. Most licences require a fee. 

The licence class is determined by the types of food prepared and sold and the way foods are handled. Food premises licences are divided into the following classes:

Class 3: Premises where potentially hazardous food is stored, handled, displayed, distributed, sold or offered for sale without any processing or preparing on site. Food safety training is recommended.

• Class 3 — Public Market: Public market food vendors that conduct Class 3 activities.
• Class 3 — Temporary Event: Temporary event food vendors that conduct Class 3 activities.

Class 4: Premises where potentially hazardous food is prepared or processed on site. Food on these premises is prepared without any killing, pasteurizing or, if meat or fish, without thermal processing. This includes food for sale or consumption on or off the premises but not distributed wholesale. Food safety training and certification is required for managers and some staff.

• Class 4 — Public Market: Public market food vendors that conduct Class 4 activities.
• Class 4 — Temporary Event: Temporary event food vendors that conduct Class 4 activities.

Class 5: Premises where food is processed for direct sale or wholesale distribution or where food is prepared for wholesale distribution, including abattoirs and dairy plants.

Individuals operating a food premises without a licence are subject to charges.

If you are applying for a food premises licence (Class 3, 4 or 5) and are not a temporary event or public market, you can apply online or submit a completed application form. The Application Guide—Food Premises Licence (PDF 2.1 MB) includes information on payment and application requirements for a licence.

• Application for Food Premises Licence — submit online (only for applications requiring a licensing fee)
• Application for Food Premises Licence — electronic fillable printable form (PDF 886 KB)

Fees for new applications are now prorated. Prorated fees do not apply to yearly or seasonal food premises renewals.

If you are applying for a food premises licence for a public market or temporary event (Class 3 or 4) refer to the New Brunswick Guidelines for Food Premises at Public Markets (PDF 4.3 MB) or the Guidelines for Food Vendors at Temporary Events (PDF 2.1 MB) for more information.

• Application for Food Premises Licence at a Public Market (electronic fillable printable form) (PDF 533 KB)
• Application for Food Premises Licence at a Temporary Event (electronic fillable printable form) (PDF 495 Ko)

For temporary event organizers, see the Guide for Temporary Event Organizers (PDF 2.4 MB) for additional information.

• How To Wash Your Hands (PDF 433 KB)
• Temperature Danger Zone (PDF 437 KB)
• Cold Food Storage Chart (PDF 292 KB)
• Sanitizers in Food Premises (PDF 345 KB)
• Cleaning Schedule Procedure Example (PDF 246 KB)
• Staff Health Policy Example (PDF 140 KB)
• Public Market Temperature Log (PDF 118 KB)