Yes, under the Sale of Food Act, a licence to operate a food processing establishment is required from AVA, for the manufacturing, processing, preparation or packing of foods (excluding meat or fish processing) for the purpose of distribution to wholesalers and retailers.
For licence to operate a meat or fish processing establishment, you may contact Ms Jannie Wan at Tel: 6325 7100 for more details.

The premises used for manufacturing, processing, preparation or packing of food for the purpose of distribution must be carried out in a properly designed and constructed food processing establishment equipped with all the necessary facilities.

Use of residential house or food shop as food processing establishment for manufacturing of food for distribution is not allowed.

If you are operating a food establishment for manufacturing, processing, preparation or packing of food for the purpose of distribution to wholesalers and retailers (retailers may include supermarkets, restaurants, food retail outlets, etc.), you should apply for a licence to operate a food establishment from AVA.

On the other hand, if you wish to operate a retail food establishment where food is sold wholly by retail (whether or not the food sold is also prepared, stored or packed for sale or consumed at such premises), including cake shops, supermarkets, cut fruit shops, market-produce shops, food stalls, catering establishments, eating establishments such as restaurants etc., then you should apply for a licence from NEA.

You may apply for a Licence to operate a food processing establishment (excluding meat and fish) via the Online Business Licensing Service.

The estimated processing time is 3 working days provided all documents of information given are truthful and correct.

It all depends on how soon you can comply with the health requirements, specific to your food establishment, which will be issued to you for compliance during the licensing stage.

Please be reminded that no food processing operation is allowed until approval of the licence is granted.

The licence fee for food processing establishment is computed based on the total floor area of the establishment and is subjected to annual renewal:

Licence Fees

Size of Factory	Total Floor Area of Factory (m2)	Annual Licence Fee ($)
Small	Below 200	S$180
Medium	200 to 750	S$360
Large	Above 750	S$600

The person who is appointed as a hygiene officer should be a trained and qualified personnel in food hygiene and safety. He/she will be responsible in overseeing sanitation, manufacturing and hygiene practices, and other matters concerning food safety in the food processing establishment.

All food production employees are required to be vaccinated against typhoid before they are allowed to handle food.