The MDA Retail Food Program partners with various agencies including the Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, and others when necessary. Some food facilities are inspected by multiple inspection programs within the MDA such as the Manufactured Food Inspection Program, the Meat Inspection Program or the Dairy Inspection Program.
Minnesota Department of Health
Retail food establishments are licensed by different regulatory authorities in Minnesota based on the type and predominance of business. Predominance of business means that a majority (51 percent or more) of the gross annual food sales comes from that type of food or activity. If you want a license for an operation that is primary food service, such as a restaurant, you will need to obtain a license from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) or one of their delegated agencies. Go to the MDH Licensing Jurisdiction page for more information.
Delegated Agencies
The MDA Retail Food Program delegates its authority to license and inspect regulated retail food establishments to seven agencies within the state. This means that within these jurisdictions, the local agency is responsible for licensing, plan review, enforcement of the Minnesota Food Code, and other applicable regulations as it relates to retail food sales.
| Agency | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| City of Bloomington | Environmental Health Division City of Bloomington 1800 West Old Shakopee Road Bloomington, MN 55431 | 952-563-8934 |
| City of Brooklyn Park | Code of Enforcement and Public Health Division 5200 85th Avenue North Brooklyn Park, MN 55443 | 763-493-8070 |
| Hennepin County (except the cities of Crystal, Edina, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Richfield, St. Louis Park, and Wayzata | Epidemiology and Environmental Health 479 Prairie Center Drive Eden Prairie, MN 55344 | 612-543-5200 |
| City of Minneapolis | Minneapolis Environmental Health Public Service Center 250 South Fourth Street Room 414 Minneapolis, MN 55414 | 612-673-2301 |
| City of Minnetonka | City of Minnetonka Health Division 14600 Minnetonka Boulevard Minnetonka, MN 55345 | 952-939-8200 |
| Ramsey County (except the cities of Maplewood, New Brighton, and City of St. Paul) | Environmental Health Section St. Paul-Ramsey County Department of Public Health 2785 White Bear Avenue, Suite 350 Maplewood, MN 55109 | 651-266-2400 |
| City of Saint Cloud | Health Inspections Department 400 Second Street South St. Cloud, MN 56301 | 320-255-7214 |
Use the Find Your Inspector Tool to identify your inspector.
Use the Find Your Inspector Tool to identify your inspector.
If you aren't sure where to begin as you develop your food business, the MDA has developed a Food Business Roadmap. The roadmap contains many useful resources such as:
- How to write a business plan
- Information on shared or rented kitchens
- Farmers' Market and Cottage Food requirements
- Grant and loan information
- Types of business that are licensed by the MDA or the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)
If you aren't sure where to begin as you develop your food business, the MDA has developed a Food Business Roadmap. The roadmap contains many useful resources such as:
- How to write a business plan
- Information on shared or rented kitchens
- Farmers' Market and Cottage Food requirements
- Grant and loan information
- Types of business that are licensed by the MDA or the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)
If you aren't sure where to begin as you develop your food business, the MDA has developed a Food Business Roadmap. The roadmap contains many useful resources such as:
- How to write a business plan
- Information on shared or rented kitchens
- Farmers' Market and Cottage Food requirements
- Grant and loan information
- Types of business that are licensed by the MDA or the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)
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.
Use the Find Your Inspector Tool to identify your inspector.
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.
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
