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The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) helps ensure the safety of the food supply by licensing and inspecting food producers, distributors, and certain food retailers in Minnesota. Examples of food businesses licensed by the MDA include food manufacturers, storage warehouses, grocery stores, convenience stores, bakeries, meat processors, retail meat markets/in-store delis, vending machines, and permanent and mobile businesses that primarily sell prepackaged foods, baked goods, candies, shaved ice, popcorn, or nuts. We would like to help answer your food business questions and connect you with the people and information to start a successful food business.

What You Need to Know About Starting a Food Business in Minnesota

1. Revisions to the MDA food licensing law were signed into law on May 23, 2025. The changes took effect on August 1, 2025 for new businesses and will apply to existing businesses as they renew their licenses. For more details, please see House File 2446, lines 78.13 to 89.5. Key changes include simplifying previous multiple license classifications into one "Food Handler" license, aligning fees with food safety risk in addition to business size, and allowing small businesses (<$50,000 gross annual sales) up to three business locations under a single license.
2. You need to have a license to sell food in Minnesota unless you meet an exclusion or exemption. The definition of "sell" is broad under Minnesota law - "sell" can also mean hold, transfer, or give away, even if no money is exchanged.
3. All food businesses are subject to health and safety regulations, regardless of whether a food license is required.
4. Food license applications are not available online. You will be provided a license application after consulting with the MDA about your business readiness. The only exception is for a Special Event Food Stand license.
5. If you plan to manufacture meat products to wholesale (sell to other businesses/organizations), you must meet special requirements, and a meat inspector must be present at the time you manufacture the product.
6. If you plan to sell food at a retail location, you may need a facility plan review prior to your licensing inspection.
7. If you handle seafood, make juice, or pickle, bottle, or can food, you may need special training before you can be licensed.
8. Restaurants, caterers, and food trucks that primarily serve ready-to-eat meal items or beverages, prepared or served onsite per customer order, are licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) or a local health agency, not the MDA. You can find more information on the MDH food licensing website.
9. There are exclusions and exemptions to the food licensing requirement. Generaly, you cannot sell food made from a private home kitchen, but registered cottage food producers are exempted from licensing. A Minnesota Cottage Food Producer Registration is not a food license, and those wishing to produce cottage foods must be registered with the MDA. Additionally, individuals selling products from their farm or garden are excluded from licensing. Please note that local zoning requirements may prevent you from selling food from your home or property.
10. Please keep in mind that the process to start a food business, meet all requirements, and obtain a license takes time.

Pre-Consultation Questionnaire

If you have further questions, please fill out the following web form for a referral to the MDA Licensing Liaison. We follow up with most requests within five business days. Please allow for more time during high-volume licensing seasons.