Wholesale Food Handler License

If you would like to operate as a wholesale food handler or manufacturer, you will need a Food Handler License. First, you must complete an Applicant Form. Contact the MDA Licensing Liaison or your local food inspector to review your business plans and obtain the form. You will need the following information to submit the Applicant Form:

• Minnesota Tax ID number or social security number
• Legal business name (and DBA, if applicable)
• Physical address of your food business
• Majority of sales (direct to the end consumer OR sales to other businesses who will re-sell or further process the food)
• Pre-Licensing Applicant Form fee ($50)

After applying, our MDA Technical Review Team will evaluate your business plan and connect you with your area inspector to schedule a licensing inspection. The Technical Review Team will request additional information about your business including:

• All planned food handling activities and specialized processes
• Final signoffs from specific inspectors (i.e., plumbing, building, fire, electrical, etc.)

Please note that an electronic form of the license application is NOT currently available through the MDA website.

Contact the MDA or submit a Food Licensing Liaison Request. You may also use our "Find Your Inspector" Tool to search for your inspector by your food business address or zip code.

• Your business plan and predominant mode of sales
• Food storage location(s)
• Types of food storage: ambient, refrigerated and/or frozen
• Equipment and facility design
• Food suppliers or vendors
• Distribution methods

License fees are based on your gross annual food sales and food safety risk. If you are found operating without a license, then a no-license penalty fee will apply.

You must renew annually. Historically, wholesalers were required to renew licenses by June 30th each year. In 2026, all licenses will be moved to a January 1 through December 31 license period. All renewing Wholesale licenses will be converted to Food Handler licenses at a six-month prorated fee on July 1, 2026. Then, converted Wholesale licenses will renew starting January 1, 2027 for the full calendar year to get on the same licensing schedule as all Food Handlers. A license renewal form will be mailed to you prior to June this year. Licenses may be renewed online.

Review the MDA Starting a New Wholesale Food Business webpage. This includes information on topics including:

• Applicable regulations such as Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Preventive Controls for Human Food
• Additional specialized regulations (acidified foods, juice HACCP, seafood HACCP, etc.) may apply
• Source water and waste-water system requirements
• Food business zoning requirements
• Local authority inspections (e.g., building plumbing, HVAC, electrical, fire)
• Certification of Occupancy (if necessary)
• Retail Plan Review (if applicable)
• Meat or dairy product information

It is your responsibility to become familiar with 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).