Food Premises, Licensing and Public Health Requirements
What this domain tests
This domain covers the legal and physical requirements for food businesses in Kenya: county licensing, public health inspection, premises design, water and sanitation, waste, pest proofing and the powers of public health officers.
Core rules
- County authority: food premises are licensed and inspected by county public health departments under national laws including the Public Health Act (Cap 242) and the Food, Drugs and Chemical Substances Act (Cap 254).
- Approval before trading: plans for a new or altered food premises should be submitted for public health approval. An inspection confirms compliance before a public health certificate or business permit is issued.
- Design: floors, walls and work surfaces must be smooth, washable and in good repair. Provide adequate lighting, ventilation and space for hygienic work.
- Handwashing: provide an adequate number of handwash basins with soap, running water and drying facilities, separate from food preparation sinks.
- Sanitation: toilets must not open directly into food rooms; provide changing facilities and potable water.
- Waste: store refuse in covered, pest-proof bins and arrange regular removal. Trade effluent must be disposed of lawfully.
- Pest control: proof windows and doors, screen openings, seal gaps and keep a pest-control programme.
- Enforcement: public health officers have powers of entry and inspection and may issue improvement notices or close premises posing a risk.
Worked example
A new hotel kitchen has one sink used for washing vegetables, hands and utensils. The public health officer refuses approval. The sink is a cross-contamination point because handwashing and waste water can contaminate food and utensils. The owner must install a dedicated handwash basin with soap and drying facilities and a separate food-preparation sink before licensing proceeds.
Traps that cost marks
- A licence is not a one-off award; premises remain subject to inspection.
- A food handler certificate does not license the premises.
- A business permit alone does not prove public health compliance.
- Handwash basins and food preparation sinks serve different purposes.
- Pest control is a continuous programme, not a single spraying.