Contact the MDA or submit a Food Licensing Liaison Request. The MDA licensing liaison will email you the area inspector's contact information.
NOTE: Contact your area inspector at least two weeks prior to your anticipated business start date.
- Your business plan an
d 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
- 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
In addition to basic business information such as legal name, doing business as (DBA), physical, and mailing addresses, the following four items are required on the license application:
- Minnesota tax ID number (associated with the business name registered with the Minnesota Secretary of State) or your Social Security number (if filing as an individual).
- Workers Compensation Insurance policy number and effective dates if you plan on having paid or compensated employees (if applicable).
- Estimated gross annual food sales (July 1- June 30th annually)
- Check, money order, or cashier's check for the license fee
In addition to basic business information such as legal name, doing business as (DBA), physical, and mailing addresses, the following four items are required on the license application:
- Minnesota tax ID number (associated with the business name registered with the Minnesota Secretary of State) or your Social Security number (if filing as an individual).
- Workers Compensation Insurance policy number and effective dates if you plan on having paid or compensated employees (if applicable).
- Estimated gross annual food sales (July 1- June 30th annually)
- Check, money order, or cashier's check for the license fee
License fees are based on your gross annual food sales. If you are found operating without a license, then a no-license penalty fee will apply.
|
Anticipated Gross Annual Food Sales |
License Fee |
No License Penalty |
|---|---|---|
|
$0 - $25,000 |
$57.00 |
$38.00 |
|
$25,001 - $250,000 |
$284.00 |
$187.00 |
|
$250,001 - $1,000,000 From all other facilities *From a mobile unit w/o a separate storage facility |
$590.00 *$444.00 |
$389.00 *$293.00 |
|
$1,000,001 - $5,000,000 |
$769.00 |
$508.00 |
|
$5,000,001 - $10,000,000 |
$920.00 |
$607.00 |
|
$10,000,001 - $15,000,000 |
$990.00 |
$653.00 |
|
$15,000,001 - $20,000,000 |
$1,156.00 |
$763.00 |
|
$20,000,001 - $25,000,000 |
$1,329.00 |
$877.00 |
|
Over $25,000,001 |
$1,502.00 |
$991.00 |
License fees are based on your gross annual food sales. If you are found operating without a license, then a no-license penalty fee will apply.
|
Anticipated Gross Annual Food Sales |
License Fee |
No License Penalty |
|---|---|---|
|
$0 - $25,000 |
$57.00 |
$38.00 |
|
$25,001 - $250,000 |
$284.00 |
$187.00 |
|
$250,001 - $1,000,000 From all other facilities *From a mobile unit w/o a separate storage facility |
$590.00 *$444.00 |
$389.00 *$293.00 |
|
$1,000,001 - $5,000,000 |
$769.00 |
$508.00 |
|
$5,000,001 - $10,000,000 |
$920.00 |
$607.00 |
|
$10,000,001 - $15,000,000 |
$990.00 |
$653.00 |
|
$15,000,001 - $20,000,000 |
$1,156.00 |
$763.00 |
|
$20,000,001 - $25,000,000 |
$1,329.00 |
$877.00 |
|
Over $25,000,001 |
$1,502.00 |
$991.00 |
Annually. You must renew your license by June 30th each year. If you renew later than June 30th, a late fee will be applied. A license renewal form will be mailed to you prior to June each year. Licenses may be renewed online.
|
Gross Annual Food Sales & Services |
Renewal License Fee |
Late Penalty |
|---|---|---|
|
Less than $25,000 |
$57.00 |
$19.00 |
|
$25,001 - $250,000 |
$284.00 |
$94.00 |
|
$250,001 - $1,000,000 From all other facilities *From a mobile unit w/o a separate storage facility |
$590.00 *$444.00 |
$195.00 *$147.00 |
|
$1,000,001 - $5,000,000 |
$769.00 |
$254.00 |
|
$5,000,001 - $10,000,000 |
$920.00 |
$304.00 |
|
$10,000,001 - $15,000,000 |
$990.00 |
$327.00 |
|
$15,000,001 - $20,000,000 |
$1,156.00 |
$381.00 |
|
$20,000,001 - $25,000,000 |
$1,329.00 |
$439.00 |
|
Over $25,000,001 |
$1,502.00 |
$496.00 |
Annually. You must renew your license by June 30th each year. If you renew later than June 30th, a late fee will be applied. A license renewal form will be mailed to you prior to June each year. Licenses may be renewed online.
|
Gross Annual Food Sales & Services |
Renewal License Fee |
Late Penalty |
|---|---|---|
|
Less than $25,000 |
$57.00 |
$19.00 |
|
$25,001 - $250,000 |
$284.00 |
$94.00 |
|
$250,001 - $1,000,000 From all other facilities *From a mobile unit w/o a separate storage facility |
$590.00 *$444.00 |
$195.00 *$147.00 |
|
$1,000,001 - $5,000,000 |
$769.00 |
$254.00 |
|
$5,000,001 - $10,000,000 |
$920.00 |
$304.00 |
|
$10,000,001 - $15,000,000 |
$990.00 |
$327.00 |
|
$15,000,001 - $20,000,000 |
$1,156.00 |
$381.00 |
|
$20,000,001 - $25,000,000 |
$1,329.00 |
$439.00 |
|
Over $25,000,001 |
$1,502.00 |
$496.00 |
Review the MDA Starting a New Wholesale Food Business webpage. This includes information on topics including:
- Applicable regulations such as Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Preventive Controls for Human Food
- 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)
- Retail Plan Review (if applicable)
- Meat or dairy product information
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).
