Food & Vending
Ramsey County inspects and licenses all food establishments, except those located in Saint Paul and Maplewood. This includes establishments providing both permanent and temporary food services.
The following types of establishments need a food license to operate in Ramsey County (these are examples and not an all inclusive list).
- Restaurant, bars, supper clubs.
- Assisted living facilities.
- Bed and breakfasts.
- Catering kitchens and commissaries.
- Grocery stores, convenience stores and delicatessens.
- Public and private school kitchens and daycares.
- Cafeterias, snack bars, vending machines.
License requirements
Ramsey County issues food licenses for the calendar year (Jan. 1 – Dec. 31).
- A food license is not transferable to another person or location, so if you are purchasing a business, you must obtain your own license.
- A new food establishment must complete a plan review prior to beginning construction, and a final inspection is required before Ramsey County can issue a license. Near the end of construction you must complete a license application (PDF) for the food license.
- When an existing establishment remodels, or adds new pieces of food equipment, a remodel plan review or equipment review is required.
Applications
All applications below are in PDF format.
Pay license fees
Pay by mail
License fees can be paid by mailing a check or money order to:
Environmental Health Division
P.O. Box 64045
St. Paul, MN 55164.
Make checks payable to Ramsey County.
Pay online
License fees can be paid online with a checking or savings account or credit or debit card.
- You must have a fee statement number to make online payments. Payments cannot be made without a valid fee statement number.
- Only one fee statement can be paid at a time.
- To pay multiple fee statements online, you must make a separate transaction for each.
Temporary food service establishments
Temporary food service establishments are any food operation not inside of, or on the immediate premises of a permanently licensed food establishment. Temporary food service establishments may operate up to 21 days within a calendar year. All temporary food service establishments must obtain a license from the county before operating or late fees will be assessed.
Mobile food units and food carts
All mobile food units and food carts licensed by any agency other than Minnesota Department of Agriculture must get a license with this Department while operating in all Ramsey County cities other than Maplewood and St. Paul.
MDA licensed mobile retail food handlers
A license is NOT required from the county if an establishment has a retail mobile food handler license from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), if:
- The MDA license is valid and on display.
- Licensee operates from the licensed MDA mobile food unit or food stand.
- Licensee prepares and/or serves food within the limitations of the MDA license.
Food manager certification courses
Many establishments serving food must employ a Certified Food Protection Manager. Use the Minnesota Department of Health's database to search for training and certification courses.
Reporting an illness or complaint
Illness
Contact the Minnesota Department of Health Foodborne Illness Hotline at 1-877-FOOD-ILL or 1-877-366-3455.
Complaint
- Establishments in Saint Paul: 651-201-4500.
- Establishments in Maplewood: 651-249-2000.
- Establishments in all other cities and townships in Ramsey County: 651-266-1199.
Food safety
Illness Clean Up Procedures
The most recent updates to the Minnesota Food Code now require a plan in case vomiting or diarrhea accidents occur on the premises of food establishments. Here is a cleaning guide with step-by-step instructions on how to clean and sanitize surfaces in case of an accident:
Emergency Handbook for Food Managers
A quick-reference handbook that provides step-by-step emergency information on natural, accidental and deliberate emergencies and a self-inspection checklist for food security, with tips for managing longer-term emergencies.
Employee Illness Log
The person in charge (PIC) is required to record all reports of diarrhea or vomiting made by employees, and report the illness upon request. Use this template to track employee illnesses.
- Employee Illness Log (PDF)
Food Codes
The standards with which food establishments must comply in the handling, storing, preparation and service of food to the retail food consumer.
Food Safety in Emergencies
State and Federal resources for determining if food is safe and how to keep food safe to minimize the potential loss of food and reduce the risk of food-borne illness.
Contact Us
Environmental Health
651-266-1199
651-266-1177 (Fax)
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