Get a sanitary permit for your food business

Sanitary permit rules at a glance

Does your business need one?

The law covers any "food establishment", which PD 856 defines as an establishment where food or drinks are manufactured, processed, stored, sold or served. That is broad. A carinderia, bakery, milk tea kiosk, sari-sari store selling cooked food, a home kitchen supplying frozen ulam, and a small water refilling station that sells drinks all fit the wording.^[1]

The operating rule is short: no person or entity shall operate a food establishment for public patronage without a permit from the local health office.^[1]

Businesses that do not handle food or drink may still be asked for a sanitary permit by their city as part of the business permit. Ask the health desk at your city's one-stop shop which applies to you.

How to get a sanitary permit

The DOH rules for food establishments say the application is filed with the city or municipal health office having jurisdiction over the establishment, and that the permit is issued only on at least a satisfactory rating. Many cities now bundle the sanitary permit with the mayor's permit. General Trias, for example, issues one LGU Integrated Permit covering the mayor's permit, barangay business clearance and sanitary permit.^[2,3]

1. File at the health officeApply at the city or municipal health office that covers your establishment, or at its desk in the Business One-Stop Shop.
2. Get your workers' health certificatesEvery food worker needs a health certificate after medical exams. Start these early because they take time.
3. Prepare for inspectionA sanitary inspector visits the premises. Have the kitchen, storage, toilet and waste area clean and ready to show.
4. Pay the feePay the amount your city sets at the treasury and keep the receipt.
5. Post the permitDisplay the permit where customers can see it.

How much does a sanitary permit cost?

PD 856 leaves the amount to local government. The fees for permits and for issuing, renewing and noting certificates are whatever the city or municipal authority imposes by resolution. So the fee is assessed by the city, and two neighbouring towns can charge differently.^[1]

Example: a two-table carinderia in Cainta and one in Taytay may pay different sanitary permit fees even if they are the same size. Look for the fee in your city's Citizen's Charter or ask at the health desk.

Rules that apply after you get it

Every sanitary permit must be posted in a conspicuous place in the establishment. The permit for food establishments is valid for one year and ends on the last day of December, so a permit you get in October still expires on 31 December and is renewed with your other January renewals.^[1,2]

If the business changes hands, the new owner or occupant must apply to the city or municipal health officer within 14 days to have the change noted on the permit.^[1]

Example: you buy an existing lugawan, including its equipment and lease, on 3 March. File for the change at the health office on or before 17 March.

Questions people ask

Is a sanitary permit the same as a health certificate?

No. The sanitary permit covers the establishment. The health certificate covers each person who works there. A food business needs both. See health certificate.

When do I renew my sanitary permit?

The permit runs to 31 December of the year it is issued, so you renew it every year, usually together with your mayor's permit in January.

What if I fail the inspection?

The permit is issued only on at least a satisfactory rating. Ask the inspector for the list of findings, fix them, and request a re-inspection.

Can I apply for the sanitary permit with my business permit?

Yes in many cities. Under JMC 2021-01, the Unified Application Form covers sanitary permits along with the business permit, as reported by The Philippine Star.