Whether you want to be a producer, manufacturer, distributor, or retailer of food products in Florida, it is crucial to meet the licensing requirements established by state law. Different types of food-related activities require specific licenses and permits, which requires the guidance of an expert attorney.
In this article, you will discover the permits required to sell food in Florida.
Why Do I Need Specific Permits to Sell Food in Florida?
The key purpose of ensuring proper licensing for food sellers is to protect consumers from the risk of foodborne illness. Typically, unlicensed and unregulated food vendors do not comply with the standards of safety and hygiene required to serve foods and drinks to retail consumers.
Obtaining a permit to sell food requires the applicant to go through adequate inspection and fulfill the demanding eligibility criteria imposed by statutory and regulatory provisions.
Florida Statutes §509.261 (1) expressly provides that “any public lodging establishment or public food service establishment that has operated or is operating in violation of this chapter or the rules of the division, operating without a license, or operating with a suspended or revoked license may be subject by the division to:
- Fines not to exceed $1,000 per offense
- Mandatory completion, at personal expense, of a remedial educational program administered by a food safety training program provider approved by the division, as provided in s. 509.049; and
- The suspension, revocation, or refusal of a license issued pursuant to this chapter”
Also, Florida law may “fine, suspend, or revoke the license of any public lodging establishment or public food service establishment when the establishment is not in compliance with the requirements of a final order or other administrative action issued against the licensee by the division.” (Fla. Stat. §509.261 (8))
What Permits Do I Need to Sell Food in Florida? – In Detail
There are three regulatory agencies responsible for protecting consumers and ensuring only safe food is provided to the public, which are:
- The Department of Business and Professional Regulations (DBPR)
- The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS), and
- Florida Department of Health (FDOH)
The Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) is the state agency responsible for regulating and licensing a variety of professions and business activities, including commercial establishments serving foods and drinks.
The DBPR has several divisions responsible for inspecting and licensing restaurants, hotels, caterers, and mobile food vehicles.
The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS) also has a key role in the food licensing process. This agency promotes and supports the state’s agriculture, protecting the environment, and ensuring the wholesomeness and safety of all food provided to the public.
Part of the DACS’s mission includes inspecting grocery stores, food storage, food processing plants, and distribution centers.
The Florida Department of Health (FDOH) is responsible for regulating different food establishments, including institutions, schools, civic or fraternal organizations, bars and lounges, theaters, and entities participating in the USDA Afterschool Meal Program.
Temporary food events, mobile food units, and vending machines operated at or through these facilities are also addressed by the FDOH.
Do You Want to Obtain a Permit to Sell Food in Florida? – Immediately Seek Expert Legal Guidance
Waste no time with uncertainty. Contact Attorney Romy B. Jurado today by calling (305) 921-0976 or emailing [email protected] to find the best strategy to obtain the necessary food permits for your business in Florida.
