Iowa Law

• Iowa Code Chapter 137F, “Food Establishments and Food Processing Plants”

Iowa Administrative Rules

• Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 481–30, “Food and Consumer Safety”
• Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 481–31, “Food Establishment and Food Processing Plant Inspections”

Code of Federal Regulations

Food Labeling (Applies to all types of packaged foods & dietary supplements)

• 21 CFR, Part 101

Conventional Foods (i.e. Breads, cereals, candies, chocolates, snack foods, beverages, sweeteners, processed fruits and/or vegetables, ice, and etc.)

• 21 CFR, Part 117

Acidified foods (i.e. pickled vegetables, pickles, some salsa formulations, and etc.)

• 21 CFR, Part 108
• 21 CFR, Part 114
• 21 CFR, Part 117

Bottled Water & Drinking Water

• 21 CFR, Part 117
• 21 CFR, Part 129
• 21 CFR, Part 165

Dietary Supplements

• 21 CFR, Part 111
• 21 CFR, Part 117

Fish, Fishery Products, & Seafoods

• 21 CFR, Part 117
• 21 CFR, Part 123

Juices (i.e. apple juice, apple cider, grape juice, tomato juice, and etc.)

• 21 CFR, Part 117
• 21 CFR, Part 120

Low Acid Canned Foods (LACF) (i.e. canned vegetables, soups, and etc.)

• 21 CFR, Part 108
• 21 CFR, Part 113
• 21 CFR, Part 117

The basic facility requirements are not prescriptively defined within the laws and regulations for manufacturers or warehouses.

Please contact the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals to be directed to the appropriate person to answer specific questions:  515-725-5342

• Completed license applications and documents must be submitted to the appropriate Regulatory Authority at least 30 days prior to the anticipated opening date.
• A separate license must be applied for at each location where food production, sales or service take place.
• A license is non-transferable between locations or ownership.
• Once the application, other required documents and fees are received and processed, the Department will review the documents.  Once the application is processed the applicant will be mailed or e-mailed the assigned inspector’s contact information.  The applicant is responsible for contacting the inspector to schedule a pre-operational inspection.
• Floor plan submissions are not required; however, an applicant may voluntarily submit a floor plan with the license application.  Floor plan submissions may provide valuable information for the inspection process to approve the license.

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DIAL’s Food Safety Bureau will launch a new online licensing system for all food and hotel establishments and social and charitable organizations on Oct. 20, 2026.

The existing USA Food Safety site will be transitioned to this new system, known as SAFHER.

Learn more here:  https://dial.iowa.gov/licenses/food-establishments-hotels/food-resources/safher-transition-faq

 Please check the Regulatory Authorities map to determine the appropriate food inspection and licensing agency for your area.

Only individuals who will be operating a food establishment under the jurisdiction of the Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing (DIAL) should submit their license application and corresponding fee(s) to DIAL at the address below.  All other applicants should mail their license application and fees to their local regulatory authority.

• Apply for your License Online

Refunds

For information on License Application Fee Refunds click here:  IAC 481.30.3(2)

If your food establishment is licensed and inspected by the DIAL’s Food Safety Bureau, send your application and fee(s) to the address below:

Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing

Food Safety Bureau

6200 Park Ave

Des Moines, IA 50321

515-725-5342

U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Sources

FDA

• FDA home web page

Starting A Food Business

• How to Start a Food Business

Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)

• FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) – Link to general information related to FSMA
• FSMA Final Rule for Preventive Controls for Human Food
• Draft Guidance for Industry: Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food
• Food Safety Plan Builder

Food Facilities

•  Registration of Food Facilities
•  Guidance for Industry: Registration of Food Facilities: What You Need to Know About the FDA Regulation; Small Entity Compliance Guide – May 2018
• Guidance for Industry: Questions and Answers Regarding Food Facility Registration (Seventh Edition) – August 2018
• Draft Guidance for Industry: Supplemental Questions and Answers Regarding Food Facility Registration – August 2018

Food Allergens

• Food Allergens and Gluten-Free Guidance Documents & Regulatory Information
• Gluten-Free Labeling of Foods
• Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 (Title II of Public Law 108-282)
• Guidance for Industry: Questions and Answers Regarding Food Allergens, including the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 (Edition 4); Final Guidance

Fish, Fishery Products, and Seafood

• Seafood HACCP – Links to general information and guidance
• Fish and Fishery Products Hazards and Controls Guidance Fourth Edition – March 2020
• Guidance for Industry: HACCP Regulation for Fish and Fishery Products; Questions and Answers for Guidance to Facilitate the Implementation of a HACCP System in Seafood Processing

Juices

• Juice HACCP – Links to general information and guidance
• Guidance for Industry: Juice HACCP Hazards and Controls Guidance – First Edition March 3, 2004
• Guidance for Industry: Questions and Answers on Juice HACCP Regulation (2003)
• Guidance for Industry: Questions and Answers on Juice HACCP Regulation (2001)

Acidified and Low-Acid Canned Foods

• Guidance for Commercial Processors of Acidified & Low-Acid Canned Foods

Dietary Supplements

• Dietary Supplements Guidance Documents & Regulatory Information
• Small Entity Compliance Guide: Current Good Manufacturing Practice in Manufacturing, Packaging, Labeling, or Holding Operations for Dietary Supplements – December 2010

Food & Dietary Supplement Labeling

• Labeling & Nutrition Guidance Documents & Regulatory Information
• Guidance for Industry: Food Labeling Guide