Our expert Licensing Liaison will:
- Respond to questions about pre-licensing requirements
- Share the pre-licensing Applicant Form when you are ready to apply
- Assist in directing you to the Retail Food Plan Review Team if you are building or remodeling a food establishment
- Connect you with our technical assistance group at the MDA to address questions prior to your licensing inspection
The MDA Plan Review Team can:
- Identify when a plan review is required and what information is needed in the plan review application
- Review your submitted application to verify the equipment and facility finishes meet the MN Food Code requirements and will be suitable for your operation based on the proposed menu
- Provide a copy of the completed plan review to you and your Food Inspector
- Identify additional items to plan for your facility, including water source and zoning considerations
Visit the Plan Review webpage for more information.
The MDA Plan Review Team can:
- Identify when a plan review is required and what information is needed in the plan review application
- Review your submitted application to verify the equipment and facility finishes meet the MN Food Code requirements and will be suitable for your operation based on the proposed menu
- Provide a copy of the completed plan review to you and your Food Inspector
- Identify additional items to plan for your facility, including water source and zoning considerations
Visit the Plan Review webpage for more information.
Your food inspector will:
- Validate your approved plan review at the first licensing inspection and issue a license to operate, if requirements are met
- Conduct routine inspections at a pre-determined frequency based on the food safety risk level your food business
- Provide all final inspection reports
- Provide additional resources and information
- Conduct other types of inspections as needed such as sampling, consumer complaints, and foodborne illness investigations
It is your responsibility to become familiar with the Minnesota Food Code and the applicable Minnesota Statues to ensure you will be operating your Retail Food Establishment in the best interest of public health. Depending on the food being prepared in your facility, you may need to employ a Certified Food Protection Manager.
Your food inspector will:
- Validate your approved plan review at the first licensing inspection and issue a license to operate, if requirements are met
- Conduct routine inspections at a pre-determined frequency based on the food safety risk level your food business
- Provide all final inspection reports
- Provide additional resources and information
- Conduct other types of inspections as needed such as sampling, consumer complaints, and foodborne illness investigations
It is your responsibility to become familiar with the Minnesota Food Code and the applicable Minnesota Statues to ensure you will be operating your Retail Food Establishment in the best interest of public health. Depending on the food being prepared in your facility, you may need to employ a Certified Food Protection Manager.
An MDA inspector must take plant samples for THC testing within 30 days of harvest. The license holder is responsible for notifying the MDA of the hemp lots they've planted by filing a Planting Report form. Please contact the Hemp Program staff to request the Planting Report form. Once we receive your report, we will schedule your inspection and sampling. Inspectors take 30 cuttings per lot, the top 5 inches of the female flowers. At least 75% of the plants must be flowering in order for us to take samples, and there must be at least 5 inches of female flower vertically along the stem. Each variety is considered a separate lot and must be sampled separately. The grower will be invoiced for any extra inspections/tests beyond the first one.
If you aren't sure when your harvest will occur, you can either send a picture of your plants along with your form or write a description of the growth stage that your plants are at. That will help us to determine the proper time for the inspection. Please be advised that all hemp crops must be tested by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, pass the THC Test, and have an issued Fit for Commerce certificate prior to transferring ownership of the crop. Selling or transferring ownership of hemp crop without a Fit for Commerce certificate is a violation.
