Food trucks and street food stalls have become a familiar sight at festivals, markets and outdoor events across the UK. From freshly prepared burgers and wood-fired pizzas to international cuisines and sweet treats, mobile caterers offer so many types of food for visitors to enjoy.
If you’re thinking of starting a food truck business or taking your existing catering business to events, there are some important things to consider before you start serving customers. This guide covers licences, hygiene requirements and insurance policies for anyone wanting to operate a food truck business at UK events.
Do you need a food truck licence in the UK?
Depending on where and how you operate, a food van licence or other permissions from your local authority could be required. There isn’t one single licence that covers every food truck business in the UK, so it’s important to check the requirements for your location and business activities.
Registering your food truck as a food business
Before you start selling at events, you must register your food business with your local authority. This applies to all mobile catering businesses, including food trucks, catering vans and temporary food stalls.
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, you must register at least 28 days before you begin trading, so make sure you get this done nice and early! Registration is free and can be completed through the Government’s food business registration service. Scotland has a separate registration process, so check with your local council.
Street trading licences and event permissions
If you’re planning to sell food from a public street or trading area, you may need a street trading licence. Requirements vary depending on your local council, so it’s worth checking before choosing your spot.
For organised events, such as regular local market or festival, the event organiser may already have the necessary permissions in place. However, some councils still require individual food vendors to obtain their own so it’s best to check regardless.
What insurance do you need for a food van?
Running a food truck comes with risks beyond burning your hand on the stovetop or dropping a pan on your toe. Accidents that involve customers or damage to equipment can result in unexpected and significant costs. The insurance you need will depend on how your business operates, whether you employ staff and the events you attend.
Public liability insurance for food trucks
Public liability insurance can help protect your catering business if a member of the public is accidentally injured or their property is damaged due to your negligence. For example, a customer could trip over a menu sign or hot food could accidentally be spilled, causing a burn.
Although public liability insurance isn’t generally a legal requirement, many event organisers and venues will ask food vendors to have appropriate cover before allowing them to trade.
Employers’ liability insurance
If you employ staff to help prepare, cook or serve food, you’ll usually be legally required to have employers’ liability insurance. This protects your business against compensation claims if an employee is injured or becomes ill as a result of their work. Volunteers also fall under this policy type, so remember to take out cover if anyone is helping out at the food truck.
Catering equipment insurance
Food trucks often come with a lot of equipment, such as grills, ovens, fryers and fridges and generators. Replacing damaged or stolen equipment can be expensive, which is where equipment insurance comes in. This policy can provide protection against certain types of loss, theft or accidental damage to your catering equipment.
Motor insurance for food trucks
You’ll also need suitable motor insurance for the food truck. Catering insurance and motor insurance provide very different types of protection. While catering insurance deals with claims arising from your activities when preparing and serving food at events, motor insurance is needed for vehicle-related risks like driving.
What are good food hygiene practices for food trucks?
Food hygiene is absolutely an essential part of running any catering business. Food trucks (and all caterers) must follow food safety regulations which are requirements for safe food preparation, handling, storage and serving. Here’s a few things you’ll need to keep on top of:
- Keeping things clean: Food preparation surfaces, utensils and cooking equipment should be cleaned and disinfected regularly, especially if you’re working in a small space.
- Cooking food thoroughly: Check that food is cooked thoroughly and reaches safe temperatures before serving, usually to 70°C.
- Keep food chilled: Store chilled ingredients and prepared foods at cold enough temperatures, particularly during transport and at outdoor events. This is 8°C or below for chilled foods, so setting your refrigeration unit even lower will keep the food within a safe range.
- Avoiding cross-contamination: Keep raw ingredients away from ready-to-eat foods and be especially careful when preparing meals for customers with allergies.
- Providing somewhere to wash hands: You’ll need suitable handwashing facilities in your food truck, with running water, soap and a way to dry hands afterwards.
- Food safety management: You’ll need to identify any potential food safety risks and have plans in place to manage them. It’s also important to make sure your staff understand these procedures too.
Do food truck operators need a food hygiene certificate?
Food handlers must receive food hygiene training or supervision for the work they carry out. However, a formal food hygiene certificate isn’t itself a legal requirement for every food handler. Completing a recognised food hygiene course, such as Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering, is a way to ensure you and your staff understand your responsibilities.
Keep in mind: Organisers may also ask for evidence of food hygiene training before letting you to sell at their event.
How do food truck hygiene ratings work?
Food trucks and mobile catering businesses can be inspected by local authority food safety officers to assess how well they meet food hygiene requirements. These are normal routine inspections but food safety officers often show up unannounced, so it’s definitely important to maintain high food hygiene standards at all times.
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme uses a scale from zero to five, with five being very good and zero being urgent improvement necessary. Displaying your food hygiene rating is a legal requirement in Wales and Northern Ireland, while businesses in England are encouraged to display theirs voluntarily. Scotland operates a different system.
Some event organisers may also require food vendors to have a minimum hygiene rating before they can trade at events, such as a rating of four or above.
Top tip: Customers are more likely to eat somewhere with a good food hygiene rating on display!
Preparing your food truck for an event
Before heading to your first or next event, double check that you have everything you need to sell food safely and meet the organiser’s requirements. Think about whether you’ve:
- Registered your food business with the relevant local authority.
- Checked whether you need a street trading licence or event permission.
- Arranged any necessary food hygiene training.
- Put suitable food safety and allergen management procedures in place.
- Checked that your food truck and cooking equipment are safe to use.
- Confirmed the event organiser’s insurance requirements.
- Arranged any necessary insurance.
Protect your catering business at events with food truck insurance
We know that serving hot food at any event, whether it’s a local market or music festival, comes with its own set of challenges. Having the right insurance can help protect your business, giving you one less thing to worry about while you focus on serving your customers.
At Event Insurance Services, we offer flexible hot food and catering insurance policies, including public liability cover for food trucks and mobile caterers attending events. Fill out a quick form to get a quote or contact our friendly team of advisors for more information.
