What is the Pennsylvania Retail Food Code?

Codified under 7 Pa. Code Chapter 46, the Pennsylvania Food Code establishes the sanitary standards for retail food operations throughout the state, governing temperature controls, equipment sanitation, and local inspections.

What is the PA Food Employee Certification Act?

Under 3 Pa.C.S. §§ 6501-6510, Pennsylvania requires most retail food facilities to employ at least one certified food protection manager who has passed an accredited certification exam.

Does Pennsylvania have a Cottage Food sales cap?

No. Under the Pennsylvania Limited Food Establishment framework (Title 3 Pa.C.S. § 5715), home food processors do not have a rigid sales cap. However, they must register with the PA Department of Agriculture, submit their home kitchen for physical inspection, and only produce approved non-TCS shelf-stable foods.

US States: Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania State Food Regulations

Your centralized portal for state and municipal compliance directories in Pennsylvania. Access the Retail Food Code (7 Pa. Code Chapter 46), limited home food processing requirements, and the Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) registry.

View Active Laws Check My PA Business Requirements

Keystone State Regulatory Base

Pennsylvania enforces precise food protection standards through the Department of Agriculture (PDA) and county health departments.

No Cap PA Limited Food Limit

Chapter 46 PA Retail Food Code

Active Directories

Active Pennsylvania Statutes

State Code

PA Retail Food Code

7 Pa. Code Chapter 46 Rules

Based on the FDA Model Food Code, this code governs sanitary conditions, food allergen awareness, temperature controls, food preparation, and local licensing inspections.

See Official Chapter 46 Code

Manager Mandate

PA Food Employee Certification

3 Pa.C.S. §§ 6501-6510 Requirements

Mandates that most retail food facilities in Pennsylvania employ at least one certified manager who has successfully completed an ANSI-approved Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) program.

View Certification Guidelines

Domestic Operations

Limited Food Establishments

Title 3 Pa.C.S. § 5715 Registration

Allows home-based culinary businesses to manufacture and sell non-TCS shelf-stable goods direct to consumers. Has no gross sales limit, but requires registration and home kitchen inspection by PDA.

PDA Limited Food Portal

Find out which PA regulations apply to you

Toggle your business parameters below to identify exactly which Pennsylvania State and municipal food regulations apply to your current operations.

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We prepare and package grab-and-go foods on-site We run steam tables, buffets, or hot food holding operations We prepare made-to-order meals for customers in a sit-down dining setting We operate a home-based limited food establishment (cottage kitchen)

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Pennsylvania Compliance Dashboard

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Help with Pennsylvania Compliance

We can answer compliance questions or support with allergen management systems but nothing outside of that.

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Food Regulations

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