The Food and Drug Branch (FDB) regulates the manufacture, processing, storage
and distribution of food products in California. California law requires that
businesses obtain an FDB license, certificate or registration for these
activities.
Processors of general food commodities (e.g. baked goods,
noodles, processed fresh vegetables, seafood, snack foods, dietary supplements,
etc.) must obtain a Processed Food Registration (PFR) from FDB. A PFR
certificate is a firm’s basic health permit. The PFR allows firms to
manufacture products not specifically covered by another FDB license.
PFR certificates are also required for general food warehouses. Warehouses
storing molluscan shellfish and organic food products must also obtain a
specific certificate or registration for these activities.
You may use the links to obtain applicable forms and documents under the
"Registration Documents" banner below. To submit the documents, you must follow
the instructions outlined on page two of the application.
For answers to commonly asked questions from the PFR licensing desk, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.
Additional information may be found at the Food Safety
Program page.