Catering / Food Operation / Food Factory(Production) Licences in Chinese Mainland

In Chinese mainland, engaging in catering services or food production (including food factories) requires obtaining the corresponding food business license or food production license, which is a mandatory licensing system stipulated by the Food Safety Law of the People’s Republic of China. This document outlines the main policies and key application points based on the latest relevant regulations—such as the Food Safety Law, the Administrative Measures for Food Production Licensing, and the Administrative Measures for Food Business Licensing and Filing—in accordance with the regulatory framework as of 2025. Specific requirements are subject to the latest provisions issued by the local Market Supervision Administration.

Catering Services (Restaurants, Eateries, Dine-in/Takeaway, etc.) - Food Operation Licence

Legal Basis: Primarily derived from the Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China and the Food Operation Licensing and Filing Management Measures (State Administration for Market Regulation Order No. 78, with the revised version continuing to apply in recent years).

Scope of Application: Restaurants, fast-food outlets, canteens, beverage shops, hotpot restaurants, barbecue establishments, and other premises providing catering services (including dine-in, takeaway, central kitchens, etc.).

Licence Type: Food Operation License (Catering Service Category)

- Possess business premises, equipment, and facilities appropriate to the scale and type of operation.
- Have a reasonable equipment layout and process flow to prevent cross-contamination.
- Establish food safety management systems and designate responsible personnel (food safety manager).
- All employees must hold valid health certificates.
- The premises must comply with hygiene, fire safety, and environmental protection requirements.

1) First obtain a Business License (from the market regulation department).
2) Prepare required materials: application form, copy of Business License, ID of legal representative, floor plan of the premises, list of equipment and facilities, food safety management system documents, health certificates of employees, etc.
3) Submit the application to the county-level Market Supervision Administration in the locality.
4) Acceptance → Review of documents → On-site inspection (key focus on kitchen layout, ventilation, pest control, rodent prevention, cleaning and disinfection facilities, oil fume treatment, etc)
5) If compliant → License issuance.

Food Factory (Food Production and Processing) - Food Production Licence

Legal Basis: Primarily derived from the Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China and the Food Production Licensing Management Measures (issued by the State Administration for Market Regulation, 2022 version with subsequent local implementation rules; certain provinces updated in 2025).

Scope of Application: Factories engaged in the production and packaging of food products, such as bakeries/pastry factories, beverage plants, meat product factories, convenience food plants, condiment factories, quick-frozen food plants, etc.

License Type: Food Production License (categorized by food type, e.g., bakery products, meat products, dairy, beverages, etc., with over 30 major categories).

- Possess production premises, equipment, and facilities appropriate to the food varieties and production scale.
- Have a rational production process flow and equipment layout to prevent cross-contamination.
- Possess inspection capabilities (in-house testing or delegated to qualified institutions).
- Establish food safety management systems, traceability systems, and employee training systems.
- The factory must comply with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), hygiene requirements (pest/rodent control, ventilation, temperature control, wastewater treatment, etc)
- Products must meet national food safety standards.

1) Obtain a Business License (with business scope including food production).
2) Prepare required materials: application form, Business License, floor plan/layout diagram of production premises, process flow diagram, equipment list, proof of inspection capabilities, food safety management system documents, trial production inspection reports, etc
3) Submit to the municipal- or provincial-level Market Supervision Administration (depending on delegated authority)
4) Acceptance → Review of documents → On-site inspection (most rigorous stage, including trial production testing and traceability system verification)
5) If compliant → License issuance