Cold Storage / Refrigeration Facilities

California Health and Safety Code Section 112355: "Cold storage" means a place artificially refrigerated to a temperature above zero of 45 degrees Fahrenheit or below. It does not include any place where food that is privately owned and not held for resale is stored inside of lockers or compartments that are not more than 25 cubic feet in capacity, and which lockers or compartments are leased to private individuals for their exclusive use.

Cold Storage facilities hold refrigerated foods at temperatures less than 45ºF.  These facilities do not own any of the products stored, but provide care, custody, and control of other company’s products. 

Cold Storage facilities:

• Must obtain a Cold Storage License which will be valid for a two-year period. 
  
• Are regulated by the California Department of Public Health, Food and Drug Branch.
  

A Cold Storage license application with applicable fees must be submitted for all facilities that meet the above criteria.

Cold Storage space that is a sub-let to other businesses, where the leasee has care, custody, and control of their own products does not fall under this license.  Those lessors are required to obtain their own Processed Food Registration (PFR) for the sub-let space. Businesses that fall under this category must complete a PFR application and submit it to the Department with appropriate fees.