Does a business need a certificate of food safety eligibility?

According to Decree 15/2018/ND-CP, most food production and trading establishments must have a Food Safety Certificate when operating. Therefore, individual business households are also required to have this license if:

• Food service business: Cafe, soft drinks, eatery, communal kitchen, canteen, restaurant, fast food, v.v.

• Food production and processing: Foods under the management list of specialized ministries (Health, Industry and Trade, Agriculture & Rural Development).

Cases exempted from Food Safety Certificate (but still have to comply with food safety conditions and make a commitment):

• Manufacture, small food business

• Street food business.

• Prepackaged food business does not require special storage conditions.

• Street vendor.

Violations and penalties

Food businesses that do not have a Food Safety Certificate (except for exempted cases) or have an expired certificate will be severely punished according to Decree 124/2021/ND-CP amending Decree 117/2020/ND-CP:

• For food service businesses: Fine from 20,000,000 VND to 30,000,000 VND.

• For other food production and trading businesses: Fine from 30,000,000 VND to 40,000,000 VND.

• For business households that circulate and trade health protection foods without a license: Fine from 40,000,000 VND to 60,000,000 VND.

Besides, Business households must also take additional remedial measures such as forced recall, destroy, Recycle or repurpose food.

GT Law's food safety certificate service for business households includes:

GT Law is committed to providing comprehensive solutions, help customers focus on core business activities. Our services include:

In-depth consultation and preliminary assessment

• Determine licensing authority: Based on the industry and type of products/services of the business household, We will accurately identify the competent licensing authority (Food Safety Department - Ministry of Health, Department of Food Safety and Hygiene - Department of Health, Department of Industry and Trade, Department of Quality, Processing and Market Development - Department of Agriculture and Rural Development or City Food Safety Management Board.HCM).

• Facility condition assessment: Survey of actual facilities, equipment, Current production/business processes of the business household to advise on points that need to be overcome, Edited to meet food safety requirements.

• Regulatory advice: Instructions on personal hygiene regulations, food sample storage, 3-step verification log, and other relevant standards.

Drafting and completing documents

GT Law will, on behalf of the client, prepare a complete set of documents to apply for a Food Safety Certificate, including:

• Application for Certificate of food safety qualified facility.

• Copy of Business Registration Certificate.

• Description of facilities, equipment, Food safety equipment.

• Layout plan of the facility.

• List of business lines.

• Health certificate of business owner and direct processor, food service/food production business

• Certificate of food safety training for household owner and staff.

• Support in preparing documents to prove the origin of raw materials, Water source (will be prepared at the assessment).

• Notary support, authenticate documents, Required documents (free).

Representative submits application and tracks progress

• Submit application: Customer representative submits application directly or by post to the competent licensing authority.

• Monitoring and handling of incidents: Continuously monitor the application processing, timely supplement or correction (if required by the appraisal agency).

• Receiving the appraisal team: Accompanying the customer to receive the on-site appraisal team, Explain issues related to food safety and hygiene conditions.

Deliver results and after-service support

• Receive and deliver results: GT Law will receive the Certificate of Food Safety Eligibility and deliver it to you.

• Post-licensing consulting: Guidance on regulations on maintaining food safety conditions, Certificate validity period (3 years) and re-issuance procedure when expired.

Service process for making certificate of food safety qualified facility at GT Law

We build a scientific working process, Transparency to ensure maximum convenience and efficiency:

Step 1: Receive request & Initial consultation

• Please contact GT Law, We will listen to your needs and advise you in detail on the procedures, Necessary documents for applying for Food Safety Certificate.

Step 2: Survey, Quote & Sign Contract

• GT Law conducts a preliminary survey of the business premises' conditions.

• Send detailed service quote, transparent, No additional costs are committed.

• Sign service contract.

Step 3: Complete the application & Submit to the State Agency

• GT Law drafts all documents in accordance with regulations.

• GT Law representative submits documents to the competent authority.

Step 4: Actual assessment & Handover of results

• The competent authority shall conduct an on-site assessment (within 15 working days from the date of receipt of complete and valid documents).

• If qualified, Food Safety Certificate will be issued within 05 working days after assessment.

• GT Law receives and delivers results directly to customers.

Service completion time: Only from 15 – 20 working days for GT Law to complete the procedures and hand over the Certificate of Food Safety Eligible Facility to the business household.

Service fee for making certificate of food safety qualified facility at GT Law

GT Law provides professional services at reasonable and transparent costs. The total cost of the full service package at GT Law ranges from 5,000,000 – 6,000,000 VND (depending on the field and scale of business operations), including government fees and service charges, commitment does not arise.

Contact us now to receive a detailed quote and enjoy special offer discount 50% from date June 31, 2025!

With extensive experience and understanding of legal regulations related to food safety, GT Law is a trusted partner that helps customers feel secure in the process of applying for a Certificate of Food Safety Eligibility. Contact us today for a free consultation!