2025 Legislative Update
Minnesota's recent legislative session ended in May 2025. Revisions to the MDA food licensing law were approved and will take effect on August 1, 2025 for new businesses and will apply to existing businesses as they renew their licenses. For more details, please see House File 2446, lines 78.13 to 89.5.
Key licensing changes:
- Multiple existing license types have been simplified into a single "Food Business Handler" license
- Businesses will have the ability to pro-rate license fees for a partial year
- Fees have been aligned with food safety risk and business size
- One main fee schedule for all food handlers
- Inflation-based fee increase
- License application fee of $50
- Small businesses (<$50,000 annual sales) can have up to three business locations under a single license
What does not change:
- Who needs a license or when a license is required will not change
- Food safety regulations will not change
- The license and permit technology surcharge (MINN. STAT. 17.033) will remain
Food Licensing
The Food and Feed Safety Division is responsible for licensing and inspections of permanent and mobile retail food establishments, wholesale food handlers, wholesale food processor/manufacturers and food brokers that predominantly make and sell prepackaged food. Please use the links below to find more information about each license type.
Some food businesses are excluded or exempt from licensing, including cottage food producers. Please visit food license exclusions and exemptions for more information.
If you want to open a new food business and don't know where to start, try exploring the Starting a Food Business Roadmap.
If you have further questions, please fill out the pre-consultation questionnaire for a referral to the MDA Licensing Liaison.
If you currently own a licensed food business and want to expand, remodel, or relocate your existing business, want to sell your existing business, or want to begin the licensing process, please call 651-201-6062 or email MDA.Licensing@state.mn.us.
If you need a license for a restaurant, bar, or food stand that primarily prepares foods or beverages onsite, intended for immediate consumption (like hot foods or sandwiches and beverages), please contact the Minnesota Department of Health for guidance at 651-201-4500 or health.foodlodging@state.mn.us.
Food License Types:
- Retail Food Handler (Brick-and-mortar food establishments that predominantly sell prepackaged food to be consumed by the customer off site. Some examples of food establishments the MDA licenses and inspects are grocery stores, convenience stores, bakeries, meat markets, wineries, brewery taprooms, and vending machines.)
- Retail Mobile Food Handler (Mobile Food Unit, Seasonal Temporary Food Stand, Special Event Food Stand, or Retail Food Vehicle/Portable Structure/Cart that predominantly sells prepackaged foods and beverages, baked goods, popcorn, cotton candy, nuts, candy, or snow cones/shaved ice.)
- Apply online for a Special Event Food Stand license
- Wholesale Food Handler
- Wholesale Food Processor/Manufacturer
- Food Broker
- Wholesale Food Processor/Manufacturer- USDA
