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of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

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    Food Safety

    Retail Food

    View rules and services for food vendors, including restaurants, food trucks, and farmers markets.

    The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) retail food program licenses and inspects food and drink vendors who serve consumers. While some establishments may be licensed and inspected by a local authority instead, all vendors must meet the PA Food Code at a minimum.

    Jump to:

    Licenses and registrations

    Plans and certifications

    Food code requirements

    All establishments must meet the PA Food Code at a minimum, regardless of jurisdiction. Under 7 Pa. Code, Chapter 46, the Commonwealth adopts the FDA Model Food Code.

    County or local health departments may enforce stricter regulations.  

    Food safety jurisdictions

    Not all retail food facilities are licensed and inspected by PDA. Use the food safety jurisdiction search to determine if your facility is, or will be, in a county or local health jurisdiction.

    Some of the larger jurisdictions include:

    If you plan to operate in a local health department's jurisdiction, you must contact each department separately for help with licensing. There is no reciprocity between local health departments and PDA.