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: 8/18/2025 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:
Review:
Wholesale Food Handler
2025 Legislative Update
Revisions to the MDA food licensing law were signed into law on May 23, 2025, and will go 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 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:
Statutes: 28A.04
28A.08
Forms:
Contact the department.
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.
Contact the department.
Period of Issuance:
July 1 - June 30
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
