Iowa Administrative Code
Agency 481 - INSPECTIONS AND APPEALS
INSPECTIONS DIVISION
Chapter 34 - HOME FOOD PROCESSING ESTABLISHMENTS
Rule 481-34.2 - Licensing
Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 19, March 20, 2024
(1) Application for license. A person shall not operate a home food processing establishment until a license has been obtained from the department. 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 shall be completed using the department's online application system unless extenuating circumstances exist that prevent the applicant from completing the online application. Paper applications are available from the Department of Inspections and Appeals, Food and Consumer Safety Bureau, Lucas State Office Building, Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0083, or from the department's contractors. An application for a license shall be submitted 30 days prior to the anticipated opening of the home food processing establishment.
(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.
(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 prior to the effective date of the license. License fees are not refundable for a new home food processing establishment if an inspection has occurred.
(5) Expiration and renewal. A home food processing establishment license, unless sooner suspended or revoked, shall expire one year after the application for license is approved by the department. A home food processing establishment license shall be renewed annually through the department's online registration system, accompanied by the required fee, prior to expiration.
(6) Renewal 60 days or more after expiration. A delinquent license shall only be renewed if application for renewal is made within 60 days of expiration of the license. 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 the expiration of the license shall be closed by the department or a contractor. An establishment shall not be reopened until a new license has been submitted and approved.
(7) Documentation of gross sales. The license holder shall maintain documentation of annual gross sales of homemade food items. The documentation shall be provided to the regulatory authority upon request. The documentation submitted by the license holder will be kept confidential. Documentation shall include at least one of the following:
(8) Returned payments. The department will attempt to redeem a payment submitted for an establishment that is not honored by the bank on which it is drafted. The department will notify the applicant of the need to provide sufficient payment. An additional fee of $25 shall be assessed for each dishonored payment. If the department does not receive payment, the establishment will be operating without a valid license.
