Starting a wholesale food business requires careful planning, skillful management and knowledge of several local, state and federal regulations. When exploring the possibility of starting a wholesale food business, it is important to contact the Wholesale Manufactured Foods Program to discuss your prospective business. A wholesale food business is any establishment within the state that manufacturers, packages, repackages, stores or transports human food products for distribution to another entity for resale or redistribution. This does not include a residential kitchen, bed and breakfast or meat, poultry and dairy processing plants. A wholesale business may be located within a primary retail establishment if it complies with Retail Food Establishment Sanitation Requirements (Title 410 IAC 7-24) and the Wholesale Food Code (Title 410 IAC 7-21)
Business Registration
A wholesale food establishment that maintains a place of business in Indiana shall file with the department, on forms to be furnished by the department, a written statement of the name and address of the owner, the name of the business, the character of the business and the business address of each place of business in Indiana. This online form can be found here. The paper copy can be found here. If you choose to submit an application online, all corresponding documents must be submitted to ManufacturedFoods@health.in.gov within the same day.
A new wholesale food establishment shall not be established in Indiana until the place of business has been registered. The paper copy of the registration along with any needed product testing, HACCP plans, and training documentation must be submitted via mail or fax, using the addresses below, at least thirty (30) days prior to beginning operations. There is no need to submit a paper copy of the application if you have completed the online form.
If ownership of a registered place of business changes, the new owner shall register the place of business before operating.
If the name of the business or the address of a registered place of business changes, the owner shall register the change.
Prior to beginning a business or for more information, please contact:
Indiana Department of Health
Wholesale Manufactured Foods Program
2 North Meridian Street
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
Telephone: 317-234-8570
Fax: 317-233-9200
Rules and Regulations
The Wholesale Food Code Title 410 IAC 7-21 is implemented by the Indiana Department of Health to assure that foods are manufactured, processed and handled in a safe and sanitary manner. The conditions set forth in the Wholesale Food Code Title must be met to operate and maintain your business.
For detailed information on the specific rules and regulations that apply to your proposed food product, contact the Indiana Department of Health, Wholesale Manufactured Foods Program, at 317-234-8570 or ManufacturedFoods@health.in.gov.
New Business Requirements
- Adequate Water and Sewage Systems
- Equipment Designed, Constructed and Installed Properly
- Facility Secure From Insects, Birds and Rodents
- Physical Facility
- Labeling of Products
- Lighting
- Processing or Repackaging Areas Separated From Other Operations
- Refrigeration/freezer Equipment to Meet the Needs of the Operation
- Sinks for Handwashing, Equipment/Utensil Washing and Floor Clean-
- Transportation
- Ventilation