Wholesale Food Handler Licenses

Wholesale food handlers are persons who sell food to others for resale. Minnesota food wholesalers are regulated primarily by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA). Many food wholesalers are also subject to regulation by their own city or county ordinances. A food wholesaler that is engaged in the interstate sale of its own manufactured or processed food products is also subject to regulation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Agency contact information:

Agriculture (MDA), Minnesota Department of
625 N. Robert Street
St. Paul, MN 55155
(651) 201-6000 | (800) 967-2474 | (800) 627-3529 (TTY)
Dairy and Food Inspection Division
(651) 201-6062
Contact Info: MDA.info @state.mn.us

Website:

Dairy and Food Inspection Division

License Information System (LIS) Lookup a License

Online Licensing & Payment Options

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) protects the public health and safety regarding food and agricultural products.

Statutes:

Minn. Stats. 28A.04
28A.08

Rules:

Adopted FDA's Good Manufacturing Practices

Forms:

Consolidated Food License Application, AG-00026-11

Requirements:

Must meet requirements for distribution, handling and sale of food.

Fee:

Fee is based on gross annual food sales or service for the immediate previous license or fiscal year or anticipated future gross annual food sales.

Wholesale Food Handler License

Gross Annual Food Sales & Service	License Fee	e-Licensing Surcharge	No License Penalty
Less than $25,000	$57	$5.70	$38
$25,001 - $250,000	$284	$28.40	$187
From a mobile unit without a separate storage facility
$250,001 - $1,000,000	$444	$44.40	$293
From all other facilities
$250,001 - $1,000,000	$590	$59	$389
$1,000,001 - $5,000,000	$769	$76.90	$508
$5,000,001 - $10,000,000	$920	$92	$607
$10,000,001 - $15,000,000	$990	$99	$653
$15,000,001 - $20,000,000	$1,156	$115.60	$763
$20,000,001 - $25,000,000	$1,329	$132.90	$877
Over $25,000,000	$1,502	$ 150	$991

Licensing surcharge to be assessed

The Minnesota Legislature passed legislation requiring a 10% surcharge of no less than $5 and no more than $150 on each business, commercial, professional or occupational license. The funding from this surcharge will go to MN.IT Services (formerly Office of Enterprise Technology (OET)), which is establishing an electronic licensing system for the state. The surcharge will be in place through June 30, 2015. See Minn. Stat. § 16E.22.

Period of Issuance:

July 1 - June 30

Length of Determination Process:

Seven days to one month.

Other Pertinent Information:

A booklet titled "Starting a Food Business in Minnesota", available from the Dairy and Food Inspection Division, may be obtained by calling (651) 201-6027 or downloading it from the MN Department of Agriculture website.

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