1. Which establishments are included in the target group of the mandatory registration of establishments of takeaway activities?
Any currently unlicensed establishment that engages in the production, processing, cooking or preparation of food and the retail of these food to the public, such as:
- Snack shops;
- Takeaway boxed meal shops;
- Siu mei /lo mei shops;
- Takeaway beverage shops;
- Sushi and sashimi shops;
- Bakeries and pastry shops;
- Convenience stores;
- Food souvenir shops and other establishments involved in cooking or preparation of takeaway food.
2. Which establishments of the food business are not covered by the registration system?
- Temporary establishments or stalls that display food for sale;
- Stalls in public markets;
- Kiosks, outdoor cafes and snack shops managed by the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM);
- Food establishments subject to licensing or authorisation pursuant to other laws and regulations.
3. What is the definition of “takeaway activities”?
“Takeaway activities” refer to the production, processing, cooking or preparation of food intended for retail sale to the public for their direct consumption off the premises where such food is sold.
4. What are the requirements for registration of operators of takeaway activities in regard to the registration of their business establishments?
The establishment is required to apply to IAM for registration before opening for business. The establishment can only be open to the public after obtaining the registration certificate. In addition, the establishment is required to have a physical shop, which must have equipment for pest and rat control, refrigeration and storage of hot food. The operator has to maintain the proper functioning of the mentioned equipment.
5. Is the operator required to complete the registration of the establishment of takeaway activities before commencement of business?
Takeaway shops that have not opened are required to complete the registration before commencement of business.
6. What are the formalities and procedures of the registration?
Applicants can apply for registration in any of the following methods:
(1) In person: visit any of the Services Centres of IAM to register;
(2) Online Registration: the applicant can register online through the “Business & Associations Platform” mobile application (APP) or enter this registration link.*
IAM will issue the registration certificate within 30 working days from the date on which all required documents are submitted. The establishment of takeaway activities can only be open to the public after obtaining the registration certificate.
7. Where should the registration certificate or registration information (registration number of the establishment) be displayed?
(1) After the operator is granted a registration certificate by IAM, he/she is required to put up the registration certificate at a prominent location in the establishment for checking by the public and IAM inspection staff;
(2) In case of using the internet or mobile applications (e.g. WeChat and Facebook) as the medium of operation or dissemination of information, the registration information (registration number of the establishment) is required to be uploaded to the mentioned platforms.
(3) In case third-party online food trading platforms are used as means for business operation or communication, the certificate of registration has to be submitted to the platform provider;
(4) The provider of third party online food trading platform has to ensure that the establishments of the operators using the platform have already been registered in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Regulation, and display the information about the registration (registration number of the establishment) on the platform.
8. What are the conditions of operation that establishments of takeaway activities have to comply with?
The registration system focuses on the supervision of food safety, layout, hygiene condition, equipment and specifications of the establishments. Issues other than food safety, such as those related to cooking fumes, discharge of wastewater, noise, construction works and fire protection, are to be supervised and regulated by the competent authorities.
9. If the takeaway shop ceases operation, is it necessary for its operator to inform IAM?
Yes, it is necessary.
Moreover, it is necessary to notify IAM for cancellation of the registration in any of the following cases:
(1) When the takeaway activities operated in the establishment cease;
(2) When the owner of the property where the establishment is located proves to IAM that the operator has lost the right to occupy the premises;
(3) When the operator applies for cancellation;
(4) When the operator dies or ceases to exist;
(5) When the establishment no longer meets the requirement for registration;
(6) When there is a change of operator.
10. In the future, is it forbidden to sell homemade food (e.g. baked cakes and homemade desserts) among friends/online communities?
The registration system stated that establishments of takeaway activities cannot be set up in a property where the physical environment obviously does not meet the conditions for takeaway activities. Therefore, food produced or prepared at home poses food safety hazards, since the food is not inspected and sample tested by competent authorities at irregular intervals. Moreover, engaging in takeaway activities at home can also put the safety and property of other households at risk. In compliance with the law of the Macao SAR and to protect public interest, establishments of takeaway activities are required to have physical shops in accordance with the registration system and it is forbidden to engage in takeaway activities in private residences.
11. Is it necessary for the following establishments to be registered?
(1) Food processing plant: not necessary, provided that it only supplies goods (finished or semi-finished products) to downstream sectors and does not sell goods directly to the public;
(2) Business operator providing shopping agent service/mail order service/online buying service for purchase of food from abroad: not necessary, as long as it does not engage in the production, processing, cooking or preparation of food;
(3) Food trading company: not necessary, provided that it only takes care of the transport, delivery, import, export and temporary storage of prepackaged food and does not engage in the production, processing, cooking or preparation of food;
(4) Counter selling cooked or ready-to-eat food in a supermarket: necessary, since it engages in the production, processing, cooking or preparation of food and the retail sale of these food products to the public to consume outside the counter;
(5) Fruit retail shop
- Not necessary, provided that there is no fruit processing or preparation carried out in the shop;
- Necessary, if the shop is involved in the preparation of fruit juice and mixed cut fruit, removal of skin of fruit and engages in the retail sale of these food products to the public for consumption outside the shop;
(6) Food souvenir shops
- Not necessary, provided that the shop only engages in the retail sale of food souvenirs;
- Necessary, if the shop also engages in the reheating, processing and preparation of food besides the retail sale of food souvenirs.