Food Licensing Round-About

Depending on your food business, you may require training and/or licensing from the MDH, MDA, and/or federal and local delegated agencies.

• Most food products that are served and eaten on-site (e.g. food trucks, restaurants, caterers) require a license from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).
• Most retail and manufactured food products require a license from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA).
• Some types of food businesses may require licensing or training from federal agencies or local delegated agencies.

Useful Tools to Help You Start

• Licensing Wizard (MDA)

• Food Licensing Liaison Line (MDA)
  651-201-6081
  MDA.FoodLicensingLiaison@state.mn.us

MDA Inspected

• Cottage Food
• Exemptions
• Food ingredients that may cause allergies
• Food Licenses
• Plan Review – Retail Food Establishments
• Produce Safety Program
• Retail Food Licensing & Inspections Delegated Agencies

MDH Inspected

• Chili or Soup Cook-Off Fundraisers
• Food Business Fact Sheets
• Hand Hygiene for Food Handlers
• Licensing – Food, Pools, and Lodging Services
• Delegated Agencies: Jurisdiction Map & Directory
• Minnesota Certified Food Protection Manager
• Mobile Food Unit
• Mobile Food Unit, Seasonal Temporary Food Stand, and Seasonal Permanent Food Stand Construction Guide (PDF)
• Food Business Safety

FDA/USDA Inspected

• Registration Guides
• Who regulates what? (Eater)

Inspected by Someone Else (Delegated Agencies)

• Delegated Agency Book (PDF, MDH)

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Resources listed do not constitute the MDA’s endorsement of a service, program, or organization. The MDA accepts no liability for the content of these resources.