Food, pools and lodging

Hennepin County regulates food, pool and lodging inspections and enforcement programs in select cities in the county.

Hennepin County Environmental Health jurisdiction map (PDF)

Some cities are not regulated by Hennepin County. If you live in one of the cities below and need information or assistance, call the city inspection office.  

Bloomington
952-563-8934

Brooklyn Park
763-493-8070

Edina
952-826-0370

Minneapolis
612-673-3000

Minnetonka
952-939-8200

Richfield
612-861-9870

Wayzata
952-404-5300

Calling your inspector

• When to call your inspector (PDF)

Daily logs and checklists

• Management checklist (PDF)
• Daily temperature log (PDF)
• Food service daily checklist (PDF)

Employee illness

• Employee illness log (PDF)
• Vomit clean-up procedures (PDF)
• Can managers talk with sick workers? (PDF)
• Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 guidance library

Time as public health control

This method uses only time to control the growth of bacteria in food and keep it safe. Normally mechanical temperature control is used (like hot holding units and refrigerators). Once you use time only, you may not place food back under mechanical temperature control to save the food and use it later.

You may use the time-only method for no more than six hours (and no more than 4 hours if the food temperature exceeds 70 degrees Fahrenheit).

You must have a written plan ahead of time, kept in the food establishment, and made available to regulators on request. Time as public health control written plan template (PDF)

For more on time as public health control, visit the Minnesota Food Code.

Plan review

Changes made to a current, proposed or previously licensed establishment require a plan review.

• Plan review fees and application 2023 (PDF)
• Construction guide (PDF)
• Request for variance – Micro markets (PDF)
• Request for variance – other types (PDF)

Change of ownership

A license is not transferable from one owner to the next. Begin the change of ownership process by completing the change of ownership form.

Vending machine license

To get licenses for vending machines, mail payment and completed vending application and fees 2023 form (PDF).

Depending on your current licensing status, where and how long you're going to operate, types of food and other factors, there are different licensing types that your mobile food unit may fall into.

• Hennepin County Environmental Health jurisdiction map (PDF)
• Licensing decision guide (PDF)

Mobile food units (MFU) reciprocity license

Minnesota Department of Agriculture licensed mobile food units do not require additional licensing in our jurisdiction. We offer reciprocity licenses for Mobile Food Units that are currently licensed by:

• The Minnesota Department of Health, or
• The cities of Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Edina, Minneapolis, Minnetonka, Richfield or Wayzata.

Applications

• 2023 Mobile food unit reciprocity application (PDF)

Mobile food units and seasonal stands

(Not currently licensed by Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota Department of Agriculture or one of the following cities: Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Edina, Minneapolis, Minnetonka, Richfield or Wayzata.)

• 2023 Mobile food units and seasonal stands plan review application (PDF)

Short-term food event (ITIN) license

We issue two types of short term food licenses, regular and low risk. Please submit your application with payment at least 10 days prior to the event.

• 2023 Regular short-term food license application (PDF)
• 2023 Low risk short-term food license application (PDF) – low risk foods are listed on page 2.

Additional information

• Guidelines for short-term events (PDF)
• Self-inspection checklist for short-term events (PDF)

Exemptions

These exemptions only apply if an event is held in the organization's buildings or on their property.

Faith-based organizations serving food, holding fund-raisers or community events

A certified food manager or volunteer trained in a food safety course must be there.

• Faith-based exemptions (PDF)
• Legislative bill, S.F. No. 477

Tax-exempt fraternal, sportsman or patriotic organizations holding events at which home-prepared food is donated by organization members and sold

• The event is not a circus, carnival or fair
• The organization controls the admission of persons to the event, the event agenda, or both
• The organization's licensed kitchen (if they have one) is not used in any manner for the event

School concession stands; fraternal, sportsman and patriotic organizations; post disaster service events

• Review the Minnesota Department of Health guidance document (PDF)
• Other exemptions (PDF)

Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan

Hennepin County Ordinance 3 requires that the HACCP plan be submitted to and approved by Hennepin County Environmental Health. This approval indicates only that the plan complies with the provisions of Hennepin County County Ordinance 3 and Minnesota 4626. It does not guarantee that all hazards are controlled or guarantee a safe food product.

When required

An HACCP plan is required when:

• A variance has been issued to the required cooking temperatures of raw animal foods
• Curing or additives are being used to preserve food
• Operating molluscan shellfish tanks
• Removing the tags from shellstock
• Using reduced oxygen packaging

Plan submission for approval

• 2023 HACCP Non-ROP plan application (PDF)
• 2023 HACCP ROP plan application (PDF)
• HACCP request for variance (PDF)

HACCP plan audits

Hennepin County Environmental Health will conduct on-site HACCP audits on an annual basis. Additional audits may be required if the plan provisions are not being correctly followed.

This publication is written by Hennepin County Environmental Health. It is for food service operators, restaurant owners and managers. It provides current food safety information that businesses can use in their food service operations.

Subscribe to receive the quarterly Food Digest e-newsletter.

2022

• November 3, 2022 - Hennepin County food rescue project
• August 26, 2022 – Solutions for rising commodity prices; Summer food safety tips; Hemp derived edible cannabinoid product (ECP) sales
• April 8, 2022 – Raw oyster norovirus outbreak, Restaurant Revitalization Fund, Risk factor study, Statewide hospitality fee explained
• January 14, 2022 – MDA issues consumer advisory regarding sale and consumption of bushmeat