Why do I need to register with the HSE?
Under Irish and EU food safety law, anyone running a food business (including from home) has to notify the Health Service Executive (HSE) before they start. As a Food Waste Hero collecting and sharing surplus food, this applies to you too. It's a one-off, free process, and there's nothing to be nervous about: most FWHs get through it in a few minutes online.
You won't be able to claim collection slots in Ireland until we've confirmed your registration is complete.
How do I register?
Register as an individual (sole trader), not a company.
Fill in your name, home address, email, and phone number.
For premise type, select the option for a private home.
Enter your commencement date (the date you plan to start collecting).
Submit the form.
There's no fee for this.
I got an email straight after submitting. Is that my proof of registration?
Not quite, and this is the bit that trips most people up.
When you submit the form, the HSE sends you an automatic email confirming they've received it. That's just a receipt: it means your form is in the queue, not that you're registered.
Your local Environmental Health Officer (EHO) then reviews your submission. Once they've done that, you'll be added to the official Register of Food Businesses and sent a separate "Acknowledgement of Notification of Food Business Establishment" letter. This second email or letter is your actual proof of registration, and it'll include your unique reference number.
What we need from you: the Acknowledgement of Notification letter (with your reference number), not the submission receipt. If you send us the receipt, we won't be able to activate your account, and we'll have to come back and ask you for the follow-up letter or a screenshot from your online portal confirming the certificate was issued.
How long does approval take?
Registration is usually confirmed within about a week, assuming your details are correct. This can vary depending on your local EHO's workload, so if it's been longer and you haven't heard anything, contact your local HSE Environmental Health Office directly to check on progress.
Where do I send my Acknowledgement of Notification letter?
You can upload by clicking the button below.
Do I need to do anything else once I'm registered?
Yes, two ongoing things:
Keep a fridge temperature log. As a registered food business, you're responsible for logging your fridge temperature and making it available to the HSE if they ever ask.
Follow our food safety guidance on collection and storage times, which you'll have covered in your Food Waste Hero induction.
I already registered with the HSE for a different reason (e.g. another business). Do I need to register again?
Each food business needs its own separate notification, so yes, you'll need to submit a new notification for your Food Waste Hero activity even if you're already registered for something else.
What happens if I don't register or don't send proof in time?
We can't let you claim collection slots without confirmed HSE registration.
I'm stuck on the HSE website or haven't heard back from them. Who do I contact?
For questions about your registration status, your submission, or the HSE portal itself, contact your local HSE Environmental Health Office, or HSE Live on 1800 700 700 (Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 9am-5pm). Olio isn't able to check or influence the status of your HSE application on your behalf.