Starting Your Own Food Business

People are always wanting to know what is required to start their own food business, whether it is selling their eggs, honey, salsa, relish, jams, jellies, etc..  State regulations regarding food preparation for human consumption are outlined in Florida Statutes, Chapter 500 (http://www.freshfromflorida.com/fs/permitrq.html), more commonly referred to as the Florida Food Safety Act.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Food Safety, regulates food outlets, including grocery stores, convenience stores, bakeries, delicatessens, meat and seafood markets, seafood processors, food warehouses, food processing and manufacturing plants, mobile vendors that sell only pre-packaged foods and food service facilities which are a part of a food establishment already regulated by the Department, etc.

The Department of Business and Professional Regulation regulates food service establishments such as restaurants, other food service facilities, including temporary events, and mobile vendors that prepare and serve food.

The Department of Health regulates bars, lounges, and establishments serving food in facilities such as child care, schools, institutions, etc.

• Opening and Operating a Food Establishment
• Most Frequently Asked Questions
• Marketing Processed Agricultural Products in Florida:  Steps to Take (pdf 251kb)
• UF/IFAS Food Safety and Quality Program
• UF/IFAS ServSafe Food Manager Certification Training
• 2011 UF/IFAS ServSafe Food Manager Certification Training Registration Brochure
• Complying with Regulations to Sell Farm Fresh Eggs (pdf 292kb)