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Seafood/Shellfish Registration & Certification

Food Establishments under this program would include, a building, or place or portion thereof, or vehicle maintained, used or operated for the purpose of commercially manufacturing, processing, storing, or distributing seafood and shellfish products for human consumption.

Proprietors intending to operate seafood or shellfish manufacturing, warehousing, processing, storage or any other type of seafood or shellfish wholesale food operation must apply to the Department for a Food Registration under The Food Safety Act of 2010 (3 C.S §§5721 - 5737) prior to operation.  Establishments registered with the Department can state "Reg. Penna. Dept. of Agr." on their product labeling.  Only PDA registered establishments may use this statement.

Seafood and Shellfish related food wholesalers/processors must be inspected and be found in compliance before the Department can issue a Registration and Shellfish Certification.  Seafood and Shellfish food establishments must have training related to Seafood HACCP and have developed HACCP plans to be compliant with the regulations.  Information on Seafood HACCP and training are available through FDA (Food & Drug Administration) and AFDO.

Seafood HACCP

Seafood HACCP Training Schedule

How to Apply

Download and/or print, "Application for Wholesale Food Establishments, Processing/Manufacturing, Warehouse/Distribution" under FORMS on the right-hand side of this page.

 

Shellfish Only

If Shellfish is the only product you handle, download and/or print "Application Packet - Shellfish Wholesalers" under FORMS on the right-hand side of this page.

All material must be submitted at least 60 days prior to operating. Failure to provide all required information can delay and/or deny your plan review. Email is the preferred method of plan review submission.

 

Submit completed application and requested documentation to:

RA-AGPLANREVIEW@pa.gov

or mail / fax to:

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture

Bureau of Food Safety and Laboratory Services

Attn: Plan Review

2301 N. Cameron St, Room 112

Harrisburg, PA 17110

Fax: 717-787-1873

 

    • Do not send money with this application
    • Allow 4-6 weeks for processing  

If Approved:

    • You will receive an approval letter via email.
    • An inspector will schedule an on-site inspection of the facility
    • Upon a compliant inspection, your registration fee will be collected, and a Food Establishment Registration issued

If not Approved:

    • You will be sent a letter describing why the plans were not approved.  Applicants are encouraged to re-submit the plans again with the corrected or requested information.

If inspection is not passed:

    • You will be provided with an inspection report stating your deficiencies.  When deficiencies are corrected, you can contact your inspector to request another inspection.

Renewal of Licenses – Renewal of licenses occurs annually with notification to proprietors approximately 45 days prior to the current expiration date.  Renewals can also be processed online with a user account and unique business code. If you do not receive a renewal application or know your business code, contact the department at 717-787-4315. Once a Shellfish Certification has been issued, all certifications expire on October 31st.  Each year shellfish certifications will be renewed as long as the last shellfish inspection prior to Oct 31st is in compliance with regulations found in Title 7, Chapter 49 and the NSSP Model Ordinance.  If the proprietor does not wish to renew their shellfish certification, they should contact the Program Specialist.

Lost/Duplicate License – Contact the department at 717-787-4315.

Fees

Food Establishment Registration $35
Annual renewals$35
Make checks payable to "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania"