2025 Legislative Update
Revisions to the MDA food licensing law were signed into law on May 23, 2025, and will go into effect, August 1, 2025. Changes will be in place for all new food businesses, and existing food businesses will be updated as they renew their licenses. For more detail on the changes, please see House File 2446, lines 78.13 through 89.5.
Key licensing changes:
- Multiple existing license classifications have been simplified into one “Food Handler” license.
- Most licenses will be moved to a January 1 through December 31 license period. Mobile food businesses will remain on an April 1 through March 31 license period. Food businesses operating only at the state fairgrounds will remain on a July 1 through June 30 license period.
- The license fee schedule is based on business size. Additionally:
- For some businesses, license fees will also vary due to food safety risk (e.g., higher risk businesses pay a higher fee)
- All new businesses applying for a license will pay an initial $50 application fee.
- The MDA has the authority to modify license fees based on inflation once every five years.
- Small businesses (<$50,000 annual sales) may operate up to three business locations under a single license.
What does not change:
- Licensing modernization does not change who needs a license or when a license is needed.
- Food safety regulations have not changed. Food businesses selling food products at retail will still be required to follow the Minnesota Food Code, and food businesses primarily manufacturing or wholesaling food products will still be required to follow applicable sections of the Code of Federal Regulations, such as Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
- The license and permit technology surcharge (MINN. STAT. 17.033) remains in effect.
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:
- Food Handler License - As of August 1, 2025, multiple existing license classifications have been simplified into one “Food Handler” license. For more detail on requirements depending on primary food handling activity, please see the pages below:
- 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.)
- Wholesale Food Handler
- Wholesale Food Processor/Manufacturer
- Special Event Food Stand License - For food businesses operating no more than ten (10) total days within the applicable license period.
- Food Handler License - USDA - For food businesses producing only United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspected products and selling to other businesses for resale.
