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Title: Retail Food Handler / Retail Mobile Food Handler Licenses
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: 1/30/2025 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

Temporary Food Establishments

Mobile Food Establishments

Mobile food or temporary food establishments are mobile food units, food carts, seasonal permanent food stands, or seasonal temporary food stands that operate either on a limited basis or in a transient manner, moving from location to location. Temporary food establishments are commonly associated with, but not limited to, farmers markets, carnivals, county or city fairs, or any temporary event.

For more detailed information regarding the specific types of mobile food establishments please see the links below:

    • Seasonal Temporary Food Stand
      • A food and beverage service establishment that is a food stand which is disassembled and moved from location to location, but which operates no more than 21 days annually at any one location. 
    • Mobile Food Units
      • A food and beverage service establishment that is a vehicle mounted unit, either motorized or trailered, and readily movable, without disassembling, for transport to another location. 
    • Seasonal Permanent Food Stand
      • A food and beverage service establishment which is a permanent food service stand or building, but which operates no more than 21 days annually.
    • Food Carts
      • A food and beverage service establishment that is a nonmotorized vehicle self-propelled by the operator. 
    • Special Event Food Stand
      • A food and beverage service establishment which is used in conjunction with celebrations and special events and which operates no more than ten (10) total days within the applicable license period.

Retail Mobile Food Handler

Retail mobile food handlers sell food directly to the end consumer from temporary stands or mobile locations. Prior to commencing operation you will need to work with your inspector to ensure that the mobile unit meets the Minnesota Food Code requirements so that food is stored, prepared and held in a safe manner. There are several different types of retail mobile operations that have different licensing and regulatory requirements. Your inspector will help you obtain the type of license that best suits your needs. The licensing period for all Retail Mobile Food Handler licenses are from April 1st to March 31st the following year. 

       Retail Mobile Food Handler Types

Retail mobile stands are inspected by the Retail Food Program within the Food and Feed Safety Division. Some stands are also inspected and regulated by local public health agencies and the Minnesota Department of Health. 

If you operate solely within one of the following jurisdictions, please contact the delegated agency assigned to that area (see below).

Retail Food Program

Retail Food Plan Review

Food Licenses 

Food License Types:

 

Exceptions and exemptions to licensing

There are some exclusions and exemptions from licensing, however, operators still must comply with the food safety regulations. This may include having an approved water source. It is highly recommended that you communicate with the licensing liaison or one of our inspectors for clarity.

Examples include:

  • Products of the farm or garden that are sold by the person who cultivated them. This could be produce, seafood, eggspoultry, or meat
  • Charitable, educational, or religious organizations who are not regularly engaged in the business of manufacturing and selling food
  • An individual who is registered with the MDA to sell certain food products under the Cottage Food law 

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:

Important Notice: New License and Permit Surcharge

As part of MDA's ongoing efforts to improve their services, the MDA is introducing a license and permit surcharge (Minn. Stat. § 17.033). This surcharge is an application processing charge that will be added to all licensing and permitting applications and renewals beginning Jan. 1, 2025. The surcharge will be calculated as 5% of the license or permit fee, with a minimum charge of $5.

The surcharge is supporting the modernization of our technology systems, which will provide better online services and more efficient processing of applications. The collected funds will be dedicated to upgrading our electronic systems, making it easier for people to interact with the MDA and access the needed services.

Retail Food Handler License Fee Schedule

Gross annual sale or service for the immediately previous license or fiscal year

License Fee Effective    July 1

Late Renewal Penalty

No License Penalty

Pre-packaged nonperishable food less than $15,000

$50

$17

$33

Under $15,000 or $15,000 to $50,000

$77

$25

$51

$50,000 - $250,000

$155

$51

$102

$250,001 - $1,000,000

$276

$91

$182

$1,000,001 - $5,000,000

$799

$264

$527

$5,000,001 - $10,000,000

$1,662

$383

$767

$10,000,001 - $15,000,000

$1,376

$454

$908

$15,000,001 - $20,000,000

$1,607

$530

$1,061

$20,000,001 - $25,000,000

$1,847

$610

$1,219

Over $25,000,001

$2,001

$660

$1,321


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

Food Licenses

Licensing Information Search

Online Licensing System -License Lookup

Online Licensing & Payment Options

Licenses & Inspections Locator

Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA)


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