Food licence lookup / Johannesburg
Certificate of Acceptability in Johannesburg
Food businesses anywhere in Johannesburg (including Joburg, Soweto, Sandton, Randburg, Roodepoort, Midrand) apply for their Certificate of Acceptability at the metro’s environmental health office.
City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality
Apply to this metro’s environmental health office for your Certificate of Acceptability.
0860 562 874 / 011 407 6494 / 011 407 6545
0860 562 874 is Joburg Connect (24/7); 011 407 6494 and 011 407 6545 are the city's environmental health and COA enquiry lines.
Metropolitan Centre, 158 Civic Boulevard, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
Cost: Free. The city has stated the COA is issued free of charge; be wary of anyone charging for one.
Last verified July 2026. Details changed? Let us know.
How to apply in Johannesburg
- Contact the office using the details above and ask for the Certificate of Acceptability application form.
- Submit it with a certified copy of the ID of the person in charge and a simple layout plan of the premises. Confirm the exact document list when you get the form.
- An Environmental Health Practitioner inspects the premises. If something falls short, you get a list to fix and a re-visit.
- Display the certificate on the premises once it is issued.
The certificate is not a licence to trade: if you prepare meals or sell perishable food you usually also need a business licence and zoning approval from your local municipality. The food licence lookup explains all three.
Selling food without a registered company?
Most municipalities ask for your business details on the application, and suppliers and landlords will too. Govchain registers your company online for R950, usually within a few days.