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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.

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. 

Whole or minimally processed foods

These foods must be grown and raised in Minnesota. Examples include but are not limited to:

• • Fruits
  • Vegetables
  • Herbs
  • Meat, fish, and poultry
  • Dairy (excluding fluid milk)
  • Eggs
  • Legumes
  • Grains
  • Maple syrup and honey

Processed foods

These foods must have at least one primary ingredient (excluding water) that is 80% grown or raised in Minnesota and be approved by Minnesota Department of Agriculture staff. Examples include:

• • Hot dogs
  • Tofu
  • Bread
  • Tortillas
  • Pre-made smoothies
  • Granola

See the “Definitions” section for more information.

Local: For this program, local means grown or raised in the state of Minnesota.

Minnesota grown or raised: Food is defined as Minnesota grown or raised if at least 80% of the product was produced and processed in Minnesota.

Processed: Foods that are made in Minnesota with at least one primary ingredient (excluding water) that is 80% grown or raised in Minnesota. To receive reimbursement for processed food items, you may need to submit a written attestation from the food business that certifies that their product meets this definition.

Unprocessed or minimally processed: Foods that are whole or minimally processed using the following allowable methods:

• Cooling
• Refrigerating
• Freezing
• Size adjustment made by peeling, slicing, dicing, cutting, chopping, shucking, and grinding
• Forming ground products into patties without any additives or fillers
• Drying or dehydration
• Washing
• Packaging (such as placing eggs in cartons), vacuum packing, and bagging (such as placing vegetables in bags or combining two or more types of vegetables or fruits in a single package)
• Adding ascorbic acid or other preservatives to prevent oxidation of produce
• Butchering livestock and poultry
• Cleaning fish