Food licence lookup / eThekwini (Durban)
Certificate of Acceptability in eThekwini (Durban)
Food businesses anywhere in eThekwini (Durban) (including Durban, Pinetown, Umlazi, Chatsworth, Umhlanga, Phoenix, Tongaat) apply for their Certificate of Acceptability at the metro’s environmental health office.
eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality
Apply to this metro’s environmental health office for your Certificate of Acceptability.
031 311 3690 / 031 311 3555 / 031 311 3662 / 031 311 1111
031 311 3690 is the environmental health services line, 031 311 3555 the enquiries hotline, 031 311 3662 the Health Unit number on the application form, 031 311 1111 the switchboard.
Health Unit Head Office, 9 Archie Gumede Place, Durban, 4001
Cost: Not published. Ask the office when you call.
Last verified July 2026. Details changed? Let us know.
How to apply in eThekwini (Durban)
- Download the application form above, or contact the office to confirm you have the current version.
- 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.