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Title: Retail Food Handler
Alternate Title:
Description: Retail food handlers sell food directly to the end consumer. Examples of retail businesses regulated by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) include grocery stores, convenience stores, bakeries, and meat markets. Retail businesses can also be regulated and inspected by local public health agencies and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).
Subject: Food
Creation Date: 9/11/2008 2:17:01 PM
Modification Date: 4/28/2026 7:36:13 AM

Agency Name: Agriculture (MDA), Minnesota Department of
Agency URL: https://www.mda.state.mn.us/
Agency Description: The mission of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is to enhance all Minnesotans’ quality of life by equitably ensuring the integrity of our food supply, the health of our environment, and the strength and resilience of our agricultural economy.
Agency Phone: 651-201-6000
800-967-2474
Agency Fax: Agency URL: https://www.mda.state.mn.us/

Agency Address:
625 N. Robert Street

St. Paul
MN
55155

Division Name: Dairy and Food Inspection Division
Division URL:
Division Description:
Division Phone: 651-201-6062 Starting a food business
651-201-6062 Licensing & Registration
Division Fax: Division URL:

Audience: Hold Application URL:
Renewal URL: https://www2.mda.state.mn.us/webapp/erenewal/apply.jsp
Versa URL:
Requirements:

Review:

Retail Food Handler

2025 Legislative Update
Revisions to the MDA food licensing law were signed into law on May 23, 2025, and went into effect, August 1, 2025. Changes will be 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, see House File 2446, lines 78.13 through 89.5.

Key licensing changes:

Multiple existing license classifications have been simplified into one “Food Handler” license.
Most licenses will be moved to a January 1 through December 31 license period. Mobile food businesses will remain on an April 1 through March 31 license period. Food businesses operating only at the state fairgrounds will remain on a July 1 through June 30 license period.
The license fee schedule is based on business size. Additionally:

For some businesses, license fees will also vary due to food safety risk (e.g., higher risk businesses pay a higher fee)
All new businesses applying for a license will pay an initial $50 application fee.
The MDA has the authority to modify license fees based on inflation once every five years.

Small businesses (<$50,000 annual sales) may operate up to three business locations under a single license.

What does not change:

Licensing modernization does not change who needs a license or when a license is needed.
Food safety regulations have not changed. Food businesses selling food products at retail will still be required to follow the Minnesota Food Code, and food businesses primarily manufacturing or wholesaling food products will still be required to follow applicable sections of the Code of Federal Regulations, such as Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
The license and permit technology surcharge (Minn. Stat. § 17.033) remains in effect.

Food Licensing
The Food and Feed Safety Division is responsible for licensing and inspections of permanent and mobile retail food establishments, wholesale food handlers, wholesale food processor/manufacturers and food brokers that predominantly make and sell prepackaged food. Use the links below to find more information about each license type.

Some food businesses are excluded or exempt from licensing, including cottage food producers. Visit Food license exclusions and exemptions for more information.

If you want to open a new food business and don't know where to start, try exploring the Starting a Food Business Roadmap

If you have further questions, fill out the pre-consultation questionnaire for a referral to the MDA Licensing Liaison.

If you currently own a licensed food business and want to expand, remodel, or relocate your existing business, want to sell your existing business, or want to begin the licensing process, please call 651-201-6062 or email MDA.Licensing@state.mn.us

If you need a license for a restaurant, bar, or food stand that primarily prepares foods or beverages onsite, intended for immediate consumption (like hot foods or sandwiches and beverages), contact the Minnesota Department of Health for guidance at 651-201-4500 or health.foodlodging@state.mn.us

Food License Types:

Food Handler License - As of August 1, 2025, multiple existing license classifications have been simplified into one “Food Handler” license. For more detail on requirements depending on primary food handling activity, please see the pages below:

Retail Food Handler (Brick-and-mortar food establishments that predominantly sell prepackaged food to be consumed by the customer off site. Some examples of food establishments the MDA licenses and inspects are grocery stores, convenience stores, bakeries, meat markets, wineries, brewery taprooms, and vending machines.)
Retail Mobile Food Handler (Mobile Food Unit, Seasonal Temporary Food Stand, Special Event Food Stand, or Retail Food Vehicle/Portable Structure/Cart that predominantly sells prepackaged foods and beverages, baked goods, popcorn, cotton candy, nuts, candy, or snow cones/shaved ice.)
Wholesale Food Handler
Wholesale Food Processor/Manufacturer

>Special Event Food Stand License - For food businesses operating no more than ten (10) total days within the applicable license period.

>Food Handler License - USDA - For food businesses producing only United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspected products and selling to other businesses for resale.

Rules: 4626.0010 - .2020

Statutes: 28A.04
28A.08

Forms:

Contact the MDA at MDA.FoodLicensingLiaison@state.mn.us or 651-201-6081 to communicate with an MDA licensing liaison who will help you determine the type of license necessary for the proposed business model. The licensing liaison can assist you with identifying the next steps in the process.

More detailed information about what to expect during the licensing inspection can be found Retail Food Program.

The Minnesota Food Code requires the license applicant to provide a 14-day notice to the inspector prior to the date of opening. If a Plan Review is required, completed applications must be submitted at least 30 days prior to beginning construction or remodeling.

Once the license application is processed, a license number is generated, and the license is mailed to the food establishment.

Fees:

Review:

Food Licensing Modernization – Background

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) Food and Feed Safety Division initiated a Food Licensing Modernization Project in early 2024 to identify and plan actions to address challenges with current food licensing. The Minnesota Legislature had last made major modifications to the MDA food licensing in 2003, though the state’s food business landscape has evolved significantly since that time. MDA’s desired outcomes for license modernization included:

Simplification of licensing structure
Improved business access
Capability for business innovation
Flexibility for business adaptability and evolution
Correlation to food safety risk
Sustainability for program funding

The MDA used a two-phase approach to solicit input for the licensing model. You can read more about the stakeholder engagement process in the Summary of Input and Feedback on Potential Changes to the MDA Food Licensing Model (PDF).

Phase 1: An independent consultant, The Improve Group, interviewed people affected by food licensing in Minnesota. Interviewees brought experience from grocery, retail, chain stores, small entrepreneurs, cottage food, farms, food trucks, farmers' markets, breweries, vineyards, commercial kitchens, culturally specific enterprises, Native Nation food systems, and researchers. More detailed information can be found in the Partner Feedback on the Potential Food Licensing Model Summary Report (PDF).
Phase 2: In response to input from Phase 1, the MDA developed a new potential licensing model with the aims of simplifying and better facilitating business access, innovation, and adaptation/evolution. Phase 2 focused on soliciting feedback on the drafted licensing model from potential licensees and their supporting partners. The MDA and The Improve Group used a survey, listening sessions, and a virtual bulletin board to collect feedback from people affected by license structures. More detailed information can be found in the Partner Input to Develop Home Food Processor License Report (PDF).

Food Licensing Modernization – New Model

Revisions to the MDA food licensing law were signed into law on May 23, 2025, and went into effect on 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.

Key licensing changes:

Multiple existing license classifications have been simplified into one “Food Handler” license.
Most licenses will be moved to a January 1 through December 31 license period. Mobile food businesses will remain on an April 1 through March 31 license period. Food businesses operating only at the state fairgrounds will remain on a July 1 through June 30 license period.
A business’s initial license fees will now be pro-rated when applicable.
License fee schedules are based on food safety risk in addition to business size. Additionally:
- There is one main fee schedule for all food handlers.
- All new businesses applying for a license will pay an initial $50 application fee.
- The MDA has the authority to modify license fees based on inflation once every 5 years.
Small businesses (<$50,000 annual sales) may operate up to three business locations under a single license.
While not a license, revisions to the Minnesota Cottage Food Law were also signed into law on May 23, 2025. These changes will go into effect on August 1, 2027. You can find more information on changes to Minnesota’s Cottage Food law webpage.

What does not change:

Licensing modernization does not change who needs a license or when a license is needed.
Food safety regulations have not changed. Food businesses selling food products at retail will still be required to follow the Minnesota Food Code, and food businesses primarily manufacturing or wholesaling food products will still be required to follow applicable sections of the Code of Federal Regulations, such as Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
The license and permit technology surcharge (MINN. STAT. 17.033) remains in effect.
The Home Food Processor license category was NOT included in the law change. Currently, only registered Minnesota Cottage Food Producers may make and sell food from out of a private home kitchen.

Timeline for Licensing Modernization Implementation:

August 1, 2025: All new food businesses now apply for a Food Handler license, which includes a new $50 application fee.
January 1, 2026: All renewing Manufacturer/Processor licenses will be converted to Food Handler licenses.
April 1, 2026: All renewing Mobile Food licenses will be converted to Food Handler licenses.
July 1, 2026: All renewing Retail and Wholesale licenses will be converted to Food Handler licenses at a 6-month prorated fee.
January 1, 2027: Converted Retail and Wholesale licenses will renew starting January 1 for the full calendar year.

For food licensing questions please contact MDA Licensing at mda.licensing@state.mn.us or 651-201-6062.

Period of Issuance:

The Retail Food Handler's license period is from July 1st to June 30th the following year and is required to be renewed each year.

Renewal information will be sent out a couple of months prior to the license expiration with directions on how to renew. If a letter from the MDA is not received by the food establishment prior to the Retail Food Handler license expiration, it is up to the operator to contact the MDA to renew the license. Licenses can be renewed online with a pin number or by mailing in the renewal form with a check.

Length of Determination: Seven days to one month.
Other Info:
Activity: Food
Vending Machines
License Detail URL:

Retail Food Handler

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