Vending Machines

Vending Machine– Means a food establishment which is a self-service device that, upon insertion of a coin, paper currency, token, card or key, dispenses unit servings of food in bulk or in packages without the necessity of replenishing the device between each vending operation. Vending machines that dispense only prepackaged, non-time/temperature controlled for safety foods, panned candies, gumballs or nuts are exempt from licensing but may be inspected by the department upon receipt of a written complaint. “Panned candies” are those with a fine, hard coating on the outside and a soft candy filling on the inside. Panned candies are easily dispensed by a gumball-type machine.

Click on the Gray Tabs for additional information on:

Laws and Regulations
• Iowa Food Code

Basic Requirements
• Information on the basic requirements of operating a Vending Machine in the State of Iowa

Licensing
• Vending Machine license application

Resources- Iowa Law

Resources – Iowa Administrative Rules

Food Code

2017 FDA Food Code

Iowa law exempts vending machines that dispense only prepackaged non-hazardous foods from obtaining a license.

Vending machines that require a license are those dispensing the following items:

  • “Foods that are not pre-packaged” which include post and pre-mix machines dispensing such items as coffee, soft drinks, soups, and similar items in cups; and
  • “Time/temperature controlled for safety foods” which are food products that must be stored at 41°F or below, or 135°F or above.

The operator shall maintain within the jurisdiction of the regulatory authority, a list of all vending machines and machine locations operated by the licensee, and shall make the list available to the regulatory authority upon request.  Vending machines must be licensed through the appropriate Regulatory Authority.

License applications must be received 30 days prior to operation.

Licenses are non-transferrable between owners.

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 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.

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

Food– means a raw, cooked, or processed edible substance, ice, a beverage, an ingredient used or intended for use or sale in whole or in part for human consumption, or chewing gum.

Retail Food Service Establishment

(Restaurants, bars, concession stands, etc.)

 means a food establishment where food is prepared or served for individual portion, service intended for consumption on the premises or is subject to Iowa sales tax

Retail Food Establishment

(Grocery Stores, bakeries, etc.)

 means a food establishment that sells to consumer customers food or food products intended for preparation or consumption off the premises.

Food Processing Plant

(Food processing or Warehouse storage)

 means a commercial operation that manufactures, packages, labels or stores food for human consumption and does not provide food directly to a consumer.

Mobile Food Unit

(Food trucks, trailers, pushcarts)

 means a food establishment that is self-contained, with the exception of a grill or smoker, and readily movable, which either operates up to three consecutive days at one location or returns to a home base of operation at the end of each day.
Farmer’s Market means a marketplace which operates seasonally, principally as a common market for Iowa-produced farm products on a retail basis for consumption elsewhere.
Temporary Food Establishment means a food establishment that operates for a period of no more than 14 consecutive days in conjunction with a single event or celebration. An “event or celebration” is a significant occurrence or happening sponsored by a civic, business, educational, government, community, or veterans’ organization and may include athletic contests. For example, an event does not include a single store’s grand opening or sale.
Vending Machine means a food establishment which is a self-service device that, upon insertion of a coin, paper currency, token, card or key, dispenses unit servings of food in bulk or in packages without the necessity of replenishing the device between each vending operation. Vending machines that dispense only prepackaged, non- potentially hazardous foods, panned candies, gumballs or nuts are exempt from licensing but may be inspected by the department upon receipt of a written complaint. “Panned candies” are those with a fine, hard coating on the outside and a soft candy filling on the inside.  Panned candies are easily dispensed by a gumball-type machine.

Home Bakery

(Home based food operation)

 means a business on the premises of a residence that is operating as a home-based bakery where potentially hazardous bakery goods are prepared for consumption elsewhere. Annual gross sales of these products cannot exceed $35,000. “Home Bakery” does not include a residence where food is prepared to be used or sold by churches, fraternal societies, or charitable, civic or nonprofit organizations.  Residences which prepare or distribute honey, shell eggs or nonhazardous baked goods for pick-up by the customer (no delivery or shipping) are not required to be licensed as a home food establishment.