Licensing Modernization - Update
Revisions to the MDA food licensing law were signed into law on May 23, 2025, and are in effect starting August 1, 2025. Changes are now in place for all new food businesses, and existing food businesses will be updated as they renew their licenses. For more detail on the changes, please see House File 2446, lines 78.13 through 89.5. More information about the process, including summary reports, are on MDA’s Food Licensing Modernization webpage.
Wholesale Food Handler License
Wholesale food handlers predominantly hold, store, sell and/or distribute food to other businesses from a permanent location, a permanent location with delivery vehicles, or from a mobile unit/truck/trailer. Some examples of wholesale food handlers include packaged food warehouses, fresh or raw produce packing operations, or a campus location with a combination of receiving and shipping activities.
Wholesale food handlers are inspected by the Manufactured Food Program (MFP) within the Food and Feed Safety Division.
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact the MDA, determine your area Manufactured Food Program (MFP) inspector, and arrange an in-person inspection. The area MFP inspector will provide you with a paper copy of the MDA Wholesale Food Handler license application. An electronic form of the license application is NOT 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 an
d 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
In addition to basic business information such as legal name, doing business as (DBA), physical, and mailing addresses, the following four items are required on the 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 (July 1- June 30th annually)
- Check, money order, or cashier's check for the license fee
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.
The adjusted fee schedule, effective August 1, 2025, starts on line 83.27 of House File 2446.
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).
