Retail and Manufactured Food Programs
The GDA Food Safety Division issues licenses to food businesses including processors and manufacturers, wholesalers, warehouses, re-packers, community kitchens, grocery stores, convenience stores, mobile food units, and other related types of establishments.
This application covers people who are processing non-hazardous foods in a home kitchen for sale directly to the consumer/end user (no wholesale or retail sales). Learn more by visiting our
Cottage Food program page.
Prior to submitting a license, please review our
Business Plan page, which provides information about the requirements for submitting blueprints prior to construction or renovations. To receive a license, the facility must pass an inspection and the licensee must complete and submit all required paperwork and appropriate fees. Licenses range in cost from $100 to $300 and must be renewed annually by July 1. Learn more about these costs by visiting the
Manufactured Food License Tiers & Fees and
Retail Food License Tiers & Fees pages on our website.
Dairy Program
The GDA's Dairy Section licenses and regulates Grade A dairy farms, Grade A dairy plants, Grade A single service plants, cheese plants, ice cream plants, frozen dessert plants, tanker wash facilities, and dairy warehouses in the State of Georgia. Inspectors within the Dairy Section collect samples of raw and finished dairy products for analyses and they conduct functionality tests on pasteurization equipment to verify proper pasteurization is occurring. In Georgia, the Grade A Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) the Georgia Dairy Act are state law.