Skip to main content

Te hoahoa, hanganga me te wāhi e tū ai te pakihi mahi kai

Design, construction and layout of a food business site

Considerations for the design, construction and location of your food business site

The design, construction and location of your food business site needs to:

  • be appropriate for the purpose for which it is used
  • provide enough space for the activities in the food business and for the fixtures, fittings and equipment
  • allow effective cleaning, sanitising and maintenance
  • keep out dust, dirt, fumes, smoke, pests and other contaminants.

What you need to consider for the size and layout of your food business site

  • Ensure your staff, visitors and kai can move in a way that prevents or manages the risk of contaminating the kai.
  • Provide adequate floor space for workers - this is essential for better operation and easier cleaning.
  • Have enough bench space for food preparation, cooling and reheating.
  • Separate areas to prevent cross contamination of food. This includes cooked and uncooked food and storage of dry goods. For the kitchen and preparation and storage areas, consider:
    • food storage
    • a wash up area
    • a cooking and preparation area
    • a dry preparation area
    • refrigeration and freezers.
  • Provide adequate toilet facilities, for staff and customers, that do not open directly into a food area.
  • Store chemicals and cleaning equipment separately.
  • Provide waste handling facilities and storage space for rubbish, waste cooking oil and recyclable materials.
  • Install fly screens on doors and windows to control insects, birds and other food pests.

How floors should be designed in a food business site

Floors must be designed and constructed in a way that is appropriate for the activities conducted at your food business. This also applies for walk in cool rooms and freezers.

Floors at your food business site must:

  • be easy to clean
  • not absorb grease, food particles or water
  • prevent water ponding
  • prevent harbourage for pests
  • be coved with walls to help prevent the build-up of dirt, grease, etc., at the wall and floor junctions.

Floors that are subject to flooding and wet operations have to be graded and drained to an approved waste outlet.

​How walls and ceilings should be designed in a food business site

The walls and ceilings of your food business site need to:

  • be designed and constructed in a way that is appropriate for the activities conducted on your business site
  • protect kai from contamination
  • be sealed to prevent the entry of dirt, dust and pests
  • not absorb of grease, food particles or water
  • be easy to clean
  • prevent vermin harbourage.

 Related topics

 

 

Advice before you starthttps://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/building-and-consents/ask-for-guidanceAdvice before you startIf you are unsure about what you need to know or do before you apply for a building or resource consent, get in touch with us. We are here to help.aspxBuilding and consents
Building consentshttps://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/building-and-consents/building-consentsBuilding consentsInformation on building consents, including; how to apply, fees, certificates you need, changing a consent, checklists, appeals, producer statements, CCC, licensed building practitioners and more.aspxBuilding and consents
Food Safety Information Bylaw 2020https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/plans-projects-policies-reports-bylaws/bylaws/Pages/food-safety-bylaw.aspxFood Safety Information Bylaw 2020This bylaw promotes high food safety standards. It requires most Auckland restaurants, bars, cafés and takeaways to display a food safety information certificate.aspxBylaw
Complaints about a food businesshttps://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/licences-regulations/business-licences/food-businesses-quality-grading/Pages/complaint-food-business.aspxComplaints about a food businessFind out how to make a complaint about a food business.aspxFood
Apply for verification for your food businesshttps://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/licences-regulations/business-licences/food-businesses-quality-grading/open-food-business/Pages/inspections-for-your-food-business.aspxApply for verification for your food businessAll registered food businesses need to be checked. This is referred to as verification.aspxFood business registration
Fixtures, fittings and equipment at food business siteshttps://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/licences-regulations/business-licences/food-businesses-quality-grading/food-business-sites-codes-of-practice/Pages/fixtures-fittings-equipment-food-business.aspxFixtures, fittings and equipment at food business sitesFind out how to adequately design, construct, locate and install fixtures, fittings and equipment at a food business site.aspxFood business registration