Title: Wholesale Food Handler Licenses
Alternate Title:
Description:
Wholesale food handlers predominantly hold food and sell to other businesses for resale. Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA)
Subject: Food
Creation Date: 9/11/2008 2:18:34 PM
Modification Date: 7/30/2026 11:16:28 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: Food & Feed Safety Inspection
Division URL:
Division Description:
Division Phone: 651-201-6062 Licensing & Registration
Division Fax: 651-202-6081 Starting a Food Business
Division URL:
Audience: Hold
Application URL:
Renewal URL: https://www2.mda.state.mn.us/webapp/erenewal/login.jsp
Versa URL:
Requirements:
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. 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
How do I obtain a Food Handler license application?
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.
How do I determine my area Manufactured Food Inspector?
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.
What topics should I be prepared to discuss with the MDA technical review team?
- 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
What regulations must I know and understand prior to obtaining a license?
-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)
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).
Learn More
Manufactured Food Inspection Program
Food Licensing Exclusions and Exemptions
Food Licensing Liaison Request
Rules:
Statutes: 28A.04
28A.08
Forms:
Contact the department.
Fees:
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.
Period of Issuance:
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.
Length of Determination: Seven days to one month.
Other Info:
Activity: Food
License Detail URL:
Wholesale Food Handler
Food Licenses
Licensing Information Search
Online Licensing System
Licenses & Inspections Locator
