Iowa Administrative Code
Agency 481 - Inspections and Appeals Department
Inspections Division
Chapter 34 - Home Food Processing Establishments
Rule 481-34.2 - Licensing

(1) Application for license. A person shall not operate a home food processing establishment until a license has been obtained from the department or a contractor. Application for a license shall be made on a form furnished by the department containing the name of the business, name of the owner, physical address of the business, and list of all homemade food items the home food processing establishment intends to prepare. Applications for a license shall be completed using the department's online application system at least 30 days prior to the anticipated opening of the home food processing establishment. If extenuating circumstances exist that prevent the applicant from completing the online application, paper applications are available from the department or a contractor.

(2) Homemade food item disclosure. Homemade food items not listed on the application shall not be sold or distributed. New homemade food items may be added to an application at any time using the online application system or by submission of a paper form to the department or a contractor.

(3) Transferability. A license is not transferable to a new owner or location. Any change in business ownership or business location requires a new license.

(4) Refunds. License fees are refundable only if the license is surrendered to the department or a contractor prior to the effective date of the license. License fees are not refundable for a new home food processing establishment if a record review has occurred.

(5) Expiration and renewal. A home food processing establishment license, unless sooner suspended or revoked, expires one year after the application for license is approved by the department or a contractor. A renewal should be submitted through the department's online registration system with the required fee prior to expiration.

(6) Renewal 60 days or more after expiration. A delinquent license will only be renewed if application for renewal is made within 60 days of expiration. If a delinquent license is not renewed within 60 days, an establishment shall apply for a new license and meet all of the requirements for an initial license. An establishment that has not renewed the license within 60 days of expiration will be closed by the department or a contractor.

(7) Documentation of gross sales. The license holder shall maintain documentation of annual gross sales of homemade food items and provide it to the regulatory authority upon request. Documentation of gross sales includes at least one of the following and will be kept confidential:

(8) Returned payments. The department or a contractor will attempt to redeem a payment submitted for an establishment that is not honored by the bank on which it is drafted and will notify the applicant of the need to provide sufficient payment. An additional fee of $25 will be assessed for each dishonored payment. If the department or a contractor does not receive payment, the establishment will be operating without a valid license.