Commercial Food Establishments

Establishments under this program would include, a building, or place or portion thereof, or vehicle maintained, used or operated for the purpose of commercially storing, packaging, making, cooking, mixing, processing, bottling, baking, canning, freezing, packing or otherwise preparing or transporting or handling food.

Proprietors intending to operate this type of food establishments must apply for a Food Registration prior to operation. Establishments registered with the Department can state "Reg. Penna. Dept. of Agr." on their product label.  Only PDA registered establishments may use this statement.  Food establishments are regulated under Act 106 of 2010 (3 C.S §§5721 - 5737) which by reference incorporates all regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) relating to food.

Most FDA federal regulations relating to food are found in Title 21 of the federal code.  See below for a link to the 21 CFR's.  The only exception to registration is those firms operating solely under milk or milk product permits. Also, firms under sole jurisdiction of USDA/FSIS are not subject to PDA registration.

Seafood HACCP Requirements

Seafood related food distributors/processors must apply for a Food Registration, be inspected and found in compliance before the Department can issue a Registration.

Seafood establishments must meet the requirements of the Seafood HACCP regulation found in 21 CFR 123 as well as of the current Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements of 21 CFR Part 117. If required, Seafood processors must submit HACCP plan(s) for all the products they process and or hold at the food establishment along with their hazard analysis. If the hazard analysis reveals that there are food safety hazards associated with their products that are reasonably likely to occur, they must have the required HACCP plans in place for each type of fish or fishery product they are processing/holding prior to the start of operations.

All FDA regulations, guidance documents and other training resources relating to Seafood HACCP can be found on FDA website at the link below:

FDA Seafood HACCP Information

Juice HACCP Requirements

Processors of juice and juice beverages must apply for a Food Registration, be inspected and found in compliance before the Department can issue a Registration.

Operators of juice or juice product wholesale businesses must meet the requirements of the Juice HACCP regulation found in 21 CFR 120 as well as of the current Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements of 21 CFR Part 117. If HACCP requirements apply, processors must conduct or have conducted a hazard Analysis and if there are food safety hazards associated with their products that are reasonably likely to occur, they must have the required HACCP plans in place for each type of juice or juice products they are processing prior to the start of operations.

All FDA regulations, guidance documents and other training resources relating to Juice HACCP can be found on FDA website at the link below:

FDA Juice HACCP Information

Acidified Food & LACF Requirements

FSMA PCHF Requirements 

All PDA registered food establishments will have to comply with the applicable portions of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) rules unless specifically exempted in the rules. For information about PDA requirements under FSMA rules, select FSMA tab from the Food Safety Home Page. You can also access the page directly here at:  Food Safety Modernization Act page.

For more information about FSMA, visit the FDA here at: FDA website.

Registration Fee

All food establishments registered with PDA are subject to registration fee of $35 renewable annually. The fee is made payable to the "Commonwealth of PA". 

There are only two LEGAL exemptions to the registration fee in the Food Safety Act:

(1) Honey (HB2565)- A Food Establishment that is in compliance with the Act of July 20, 1974 (P.L. 537, No 184), referred to as the Honey Sale and Labeling Act, and in which 100% of the regulated products offered for human consumption are produced or processed on the farm in which the food establishment is located. Register but exempt the fee.

(2) Vehicles- Vehicles used primarily for the transportation of consumer commodities in bulk or quantity to manufacturers, packers, processors, or wholesale or retail distributors.

How to Apply

Commercial Food Manufacturers/Processors, Distributors and Warehouses: 

To operate a food establishment of this type, please fill out the "Application Packet- Food Establishment Registration".  This document can be found under Forms.  

Please submit your application to the appropriate Regional Office as listed on the cover letter of the Application.  Please allow 4-6 weeks for processing. Once approved, you will be contacted for an on-site inspection of the establishment.  Upon a compliant inspection, your registration fee of $35.00 will be collected.

Renewal

Once registered with the department, a renewal application for your registration will be sent annually via USPS approximately 45 days prior to expiration of the current registration.  If you have lost your current registration and need replacement or your renewal application was lost or not received, please contact a licensing clerk at 717-787-4315 for assistance.

The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), enacted on January 4, 2011, amended section 415 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), in relevant part, to require that facilities engaged in manufacturing, processing, packing, or holding food for consumption in the United States register their facilities with FDA. 

For more information contact FDA at 1-800-216-7331 or 301-575-0156 or visit their website here.

To access FDA guidance and regulatory information with links to Federal Register documents and other information about food safety programs, manufacturing processes, industry systems, and import/export activities, visit website here.

How to start a Food Business:

This information provides a cursory overview of regulatory requirements that relate to starting a food business. Click the link below to access website here.

USDA Facilities

To visit USDA/ FSIS at:  USDA/FSISwebsite

 USDA exempt growers/ processors, NOT under voluntary USDA inspection program, who slaughter and process poultry (1000 or fewer birds), rabbits and other non-amenable meats MUST submit an Application to register with PDA under the Food Establishment Registration program prior to starting operation.

Click HERE for more information about USDA Poultry Exemptions and other resources.

Title 9 - Code of Federal Regulations 

Generally, food products under the jurisdiction of USDA/FSIS include all imported and domestic meat, poultry (including food products containing 2-3% of meat and/or poultry), and processed eggs, such as liquid, frozen or dried eggs. 

The Acts that give USDA/FSIS the mandate to ensure that foods under the agency jurisdiction are safe, wholesome and labeled and packed correctly are the:

• Federal Meat Inspection Act of 1906
  

• Poultry Products Inspection Act of 1957

• Egg Products Inspection Act of 1970