- Your business plan
- Manufacturing/processing location(s)
- Equipment & facility design
- Food production process/steps
- Labels (Finished product or bulk)
- Ingredient and finished product storage
- Distribution methods
In addition to basic business information such as legal name, DBA, and physical mailing addresses, the following four items are required on the one page license application:
-
Minnesota tax ID number associated with the business name registered with the Minnesota Secretary of State or your Social Security number, if filing as an individual.
-
Workers Compensation Insurance policy number and effective dates if you plan on having paid or compensated employees (if applicable)
-
Estimated gross annual food sales (January 1st – December 31st)
-
Check, money order or cashier’s check for the license fee
In addition to basic business information such as legal name, DBA, and physical mailing addresses, the following four items are required on the one page license application:
-
Minnesota tax ID number associated with the business name registered with the Minnesota Secretary of State or your Social Security number, if filing as an individual.
-
Workers Compensation Insurance policy number and effective dates if you plan on having paid or compensated employees (if applicable)
-
Estimated gross annual food sales (January 1st – December 31st)
-
Check, money order or cashier’s check for the license fee
License fees are based on your gross annual food sales. If you are found operating without a license, then a no-license penalty fee will apply.
| Anticipated Gross Annual Food Sales | License Fee | No License Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| $0 - $125,000 | $169.00 | $112.00 |
| $125,001 - $250,000 | $392.00 | $259.00 |
| $250,001 - $1,000,000 | $590.00 | $389.00 |
| $1,000,001 - $5,000,000 | $769.00 | $508.00 |
| $5,000,001 - $10,000,000 | $920.00 | $607.00 |
| $10,000,001 - $15,000,000 | $1,377.00 | $909.00 |
| $15,000,001 - $20,000,000 | $1608.00 | $1,061.00 |
| $20,000,001 - $25,000,000 | $1,849.00 | $1,220.00 |
| $25,000,001 - $50,000,000 | $2,090.00 | $1,279.00 |
| $50,000,001 - $100,000,000 | $2,330.00 | $1538.00 |
| over $100,000,001 | $2,571.00 | $1,697,00 |
License fees are based on your gross annual food sales. If you are found operating without a license, then a no-license penalty fee will apply.
| Anticipated Gross Annual Food Sales | License Fee | No License Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| $0 - $125,000 | $169.00 | $112.00 |
| $125,001 - $250,000 | $392.00 | $259.00 |
| $250,001 - $1,000,000 | $590.00 | $389.00 |
| $1,000,001 - $5,000,000 | $769.00 | $508.00 |
| $5,000,001 - $10,000,000 | $920.00 | $607.00 |
| $10,000,001 - $15,000,000 | $1,377.00 | $909.00 |
| $15,000,001 - $20,000,000 | $1608.00 | $1,061.00 |
| $20,000,001 - $25,000,000 | $1,849.00 | $1,220.00 |
| $25,000,001 - $50,000,000 | $2,090.00 | $1,279.00 |
| $50,000,001 - $100,000,000 | $2,330.00 | $1538.00 |
| over $100,000,001 | $2,571.00 | $1,697,00 |
Annually. You must renew your license by December 31st of each year. If you renew later than December 31st, a late fee will be applied. A license renewal form will be mailed to you prior to December each year. License renewal online is an option.
| Gross Annual Food Sales & Services | Renewal License Fee | Late Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| $0 - $125,000 | $169.00 | $56.00 |
| $125,001 - $250,000 | $392.00 | $129.00 |
| $250,001 - $1,000,000 | $590.00 | $195.00 |
| $1,000,001 - $5,000,000 | $769.00 | $254.00 |
| $5,000,001 - $10,000,000 | $920.00 | $304.00 |
| $10,000,001 - $15,000,000 | $1,377.00 | $454.00 |
| $15,000,001 - $20,000,000 | $1,608.00 | $531.00 |
| $20,000,001 - $25,000,000 | $1,849.00 | $610.00 |
| $25,000,001 - $50,000,000 | $2090.00 | $690.00 |
| $50,000,001 - $100,000,000 | $2,330.00 | $769.00 |
| Over $1,000,000,001 | $2571.00 | $848.00 |
Annually. You must renew your license by December 31st of each year. If you renew later than December 31st, a late fee will be applied. A license renewal form will be mailed to you prior to December each year. License renewal online is an option.
| Gross Annual Food Sales & Services | Renewal License Fee | Late Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| $0 - $125,000 | $169.00 | $56.00 |
| $125,001 - $250,000 | $392.00 | $129.00 |
| $250,001 - $1,000,000 | $590.00 | $195.00 |
| $1,000,001 - $5,000,000 | $769.00 | $254.00 |
| $5,000,001 - $10,000,000 | $920.00 | $304.00 |
| $10,000,001 - $15,000,000 | $1,377.00 | $454.00 |
| $15,000,001 - $20,000,000 | $1,608.00 | $531.00 |
| $20,000,001 - $25,000,000 | $1,849.00 | $610.00 |
| $25,000,001 - $50,000,000 | $2090.00 | $690.00 |
| $50,000,001 - $100,000,000 | $2,330.00 | $769.00 |
| Over $1,000,000,001 | $2571.00 | $848.00 |
Review the MDA webpage Starting a New Business. This will inform you about topics such as:
- Applicable regulations such as FSMA – Preventive Controls for Human Food
- Specialized regulations (acidified foods, juice HACCP, seafood HACCP, etc.) that may apply
- Water source & waste water system requirements
- Food business zoning requirements
- Local authority inspections (e.g. building, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, fire)
- Certificate of Occupancy, if necessary
- Retail Plan Review, if applicable
- Meat or dairy products
It is your responsibility to become familiar with all the applicable regulations and Minnesota Statues to ensure you are manufacturing food safely and in the best interest of public health. Depending on the food being produced in your facility, you may need to employ an individual with specialized training, seek additional education/training, or you may need to consult with an external source (university, expert, process authority, or laboratory).
Review the MDA webpage Starting a New Business. This will inform you about topics such as:
- Applicable regulations such as FSMA – Preventive Controls for Human Food
- Specialized regulations (acidified foods, juice HACCP, seafood HACCP, etc.) that may apply
- Water source & waste water system requirements
- Food business zoning requirements
- Local authority inspections (e.g. building, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, fire)
- Certificate of Occupancy, if necessary
- Retail Plan Review, if applicable
- Meat or dairy products
It is your responsibility to become familiar with all the applicable regulations and Minnesota Statues to ensure you are manufacturing food safely and in the best interest of public health. Depending on the food being produced in your facility, you may need to employ an individual with specialized training, seek additional education/training, or you may need to consult with an external source (university, expert, process authority, or laboratory).
