Pennsylvania

Disclaimer:

We're not lawyers—just friendly helpers! 🧑‍🍳🍴 This document isn’t meant to dish out legal advice. Food safety laws are like recipes—every city, county, and state has its own twist. For the freshest take on your local rules, give your health department a call (they're the real chefs in this kitchen). While Certivance stirs up resources and keeps an eye on state-level regulations, always double-check with your local experts—because even the best cooks need a second opinion! 😉

Regulatory Contacts:

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture

Bureau of Food Safety and Laboratory Services

2301 N. Cameron Street

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110

Food Protection Manager Certification Requirements:

Notes:

Retail Food Facility Oversight in Pennsylvania:

Not all retail food facilities fall under the jurisdiction of the PA Department of Agriculture (PDA).

Counties such as Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Erie, Montgomery, and Philadelphia have their own health departments that handle retail inspections and licensing within their respective jurisdictions.

Additionally, some municipalities, boroughs, townships, and cities manage their own inspection and licensing for retail food facilities.

Refer to the Local Health Departments List to determine if your facility is, or will be, located within a local health jurisdiction. https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/pda/documents/consumer_protection/foodsafety/retail-food/documents/Local%20Health%20CURRENT%2010-06-22.pdf

If you plan to operate in a jurisdiction with a local health department, you must contact each department separately for licensing assistance. Note that there is no reciprocity between local health departments and the PDA.

County Health Department Links:

Other Links:

Ready to serve up success? Enroll in a Food Protection Manager course today and take the first step toward mastering food safety! 🍔🎓