PFR Program Information

What is the Food and Drug Branch (FDB) Processed Food Registration Program (PFR)?

General foods such as bakery products, noodles, seafood (except molluscan shellfish), fruit juices, snacks, nuts, oils, processed or packaged vegetables, candy, etc. are regulated by the PFR program. 

The registration is a basic license issued to firms that allows them to legally manufacture, package, label, or warehouse food in California. The PFR provides evidence to your customers and regulatory agencies that you are licensed and inspected by FDB. 

The registration fee is set based on three major factors:

1. The size of the facility,
   

2. Number of employees, and

3. Your firm’s activities (e.g., manufacturing or warehousing).

The registration fees are received by FDB and deposited into a special account. The funds are used to support the Food Safety Inspection Program. 

Are importers and brokers required to obtain a PFR?

Importers and brokers are not required to obtain a PFR unless they are engaged in the manufacturing, processing, or warehousing of food.

How long is the PFR certificate valid?

The PFR registration is valid for one year. Renewal Notices are generally provided 60–90 days prior to expiration. However, it is the firm’s responsibility to assure that their registration remains current and renewed prior to expiration. Registrations are not transferrable to other persons. Any change in facility/business ownership or relocation requires a new registration.

Is a new registration needed if a firm/business relocates?

Yes. Any change in facility/business location (i.e., relocation) requires a new registration.

If you have changed facility address(es), you must submit a new application and applicable fees. Keep in mind that licenses are not transferable. The new facility will need to be inspected.

The Licensing Desk does not have access to the calendars or scheduling of facility inspections. These operations are handled by the respective District Offices. 

Is a new registration needed if a firm/business has an ownership change?

​​Yes. A facility/business ownership change requires a new registration.

Applying for a PFR

How can I obtain a PFR application?

There are three ways to obtain a Processed Food Registration application:

1. Fill out the online application
   
2. Send an email to FDBFood@cdph.ca.gov
   
3. Call the Food and Drug Branch at (800) 495-3232 and select the option for Processed Foods.
   

When should I apply for a Processed Food Registration (PFR)?

The process from application through inspection and approval can take several weeks to complete. Businesses should submit a PFR application at least 60 days before they want to begin manufacturing or warehousing of food products.

What business address should I put on the application?

The business address is the location of processing or distribution activities.​ The mailing address can be any location where mail is received. 

What happens after I submit a PFR application?

Processing of an application is a multi-step process. For an application to be fully processed, it must clear all the steps including the inspection component. At the end of this multi-step process, a disposition as to licensing is made and the firm is notified of the outcome.

Applications are processed in the order they are received. Submission of an incomplete application by the firm will cause delays in processing the application until all required information is made available to FDB. The owner must sign the application and complete the business operator and correspondent information at the bottom of the application.

Processing of an application starts when the application and application fees are received by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) mailroom. All application/application fees are taken from the mailroom to the Cashier’s office. The Cashier’s office will make an initial processing of application fees and then will forward the application to the CDPH Accounting Office for processing. It can take up to a week before the FDB licensing desk receives the application.

Once FDB receives the application from the Accounting office, the application will then be screened for completeness. If an application is deemed complete, it will be entered into the Program’s database and forwarded on to the District Office for facility inspection scheduling.

Once at the District Office, an application is screened for operational details and placed in the queue to be assigned to an inspector. An inspector will contact the firm to arrange for a pre-registration “new license inspection.” You must then declare to the inspector if your firm is ready for inspection (i.e., not undergoing construction, equipment set up, not undergoing a city/county plan check, lacking required HACCP documentation when applicable, etc.). Inspection schedules are based on the priorities and workload of the Inspector assigned to conduct it.

Once an inspection is completed, the District Office Supervisor reviews the findings, and a disposition is made. The disposition is sent to the Licensing Desk for further processing. If the recommendation is to issue the license, the Licensing Desk will generate the license and mail out to the firm. 

How long does it take to process a PFR application?

In 2021, there has been a noticeable increase in processing times of applications. FDB is experiencing delays in processing of applications; in part due to the COVID-19 emergency coupled with an increased influx in applications and the Program’s limited resources. Firms are advised to submit their fully completed application as soon as possible.

How can I verify that FDB received my application?

Due to the high volume of licensing/registration applications, FDB cannot verify receipt of your specific application. The fastest way to know if FDB received your application is to contact your bank and confirm if your check has cleared. Also, FDB is unable to provide a contact person or phone number to CDPH’s Accounting department to see the check has been processed.

Can I check the status of my application?

Yes. However, FDB cannot share information on application/renewal status if not an owner and/or an approved signer/authorized individual for the business.

If requesting a status of application/renewal, and the check has cleared, please provide a copy of the front and back of the check.

Application/License status inquiries should be submitted to FDBFood@cdph.ca.gov. Due to the amount of inquiries received, please allow two business days for a response. 

Can I expedite processing my application?

A firm may choose to send its application to FDB as an expedite. However, processing of the application will not be expedited. While FDB understands a firm may be eager to have its license as soon as possible, FDB is serving other stakeholders and applications are processed in the order they are received.

To avoid delays in processing an application, it is important that the firm/business submits a fully completed application without missing information. This includes fees and any required documentation. 

If my check is cashed, is processing of my application complete?

No. Processing an application is a multi-step process that involves different offices. The processing steps are explained in detail under the question “What happens after I submit my PFR application?”

If my check is cashed, is my firm registered?

No. Cashing the check does not mean the firm has a registration and/or is licensed to operate. Cashing of the firm’s check is one of the initial steps in processing an application. Processing an application to register a firm is a multi-step process. The processing steps are explained in detail under the question “What happens after I submit my PFR application?”

Is a firm authorized to begin food processing once a PFR application is submitted?

No. Submission of the PFR application does not authorize a firm to begin food processing. Additional steps must be completed before a firm is authorized to process and distribute food products.

If I submit a complete application with correct fees, does this mean I am granted registration and license?​

No. Submission of an application does not guarantee the registration or license will be granted. Your operation at the facility location specified on the application must meet and be compliant with all applicable laws and regulations before a disposition for licensure is granted. ​

What happens if I am contacted by the Food Safety Inspector and my firm is not ready?​

If your firm is not ready when contacted by the inspector, this may result in delays in processing your application, and FDB will not be able to hold your place in the queue. FDB will move to work on the next application in the queue to avoid delays to other stakeholders. ​

Will I be notified that my application has been received?​

Yes. An electronic notification will be sent to the email address listed on the application after your application is received and officially entered in the Program’s system. This electronic automated message will serve as the official notification that the application for your business has been received and forwarded to the district office for a new license inspection. This automated notification (example notification​) will come from a non-monitored email address. Therefore, if you have an inquiry it needs to be directed to FDBFood@cdph.ca.gov. ​

PFR Exemptions

Are small businesses exempt from PFR?

No. The law provides no exemptions to PFR based on the size or annual sales of your firm.

Am I exempt from PFR if I am registered with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)?

No. California law requires that your firm be registered with FDB if you manufacture, process, or store food products in California. 

Per California’s Sherman Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Laws, Section 110105:  All good manufacturing practices regulations for any food, drug, device, or cosmetic and any amendments to the regulations adopted pursuant to the federal act in effect on November 23, 1970, or adopted on or after such date, are the good manufacturing practices regulations of this state.

The FDA registration is a requirement of the federal Bioterrorism Act. The FDA registration will provide information on the origin and distribution of food products to aid in the detection and response to threats to the U.S. food supply. This registration information also will help FDA notify firms that may be affected by an actual or potential threat.

There are no fees for the FDA Registration. For details, please visit FDA’s website.

What processing activities are exempt from PFR?

Pursuant to California Health and Safety Code, Section 110480, you are not required to have a PFR if your activities only consist of food processing activities covered under another license issued by FDB. These licenses include:  

• Cold storage or Refrigeration Facility
• Frozen Food Locker Plant
  
• Low-acid Food Cannery
• Shellfish Handling & Marketing Certificate
• Water: Bottled Water Distributor’s License
• Water: Bottling Plant License
• Water: Hauler’s License
• Water: Private Water Source Operator’​s License
• Water: Retail Water Facility License
• Water: Vending Machine Operator

Additionally, you are not required to have a PFR if your activities only consist of food processing activities including:

• Producing, packing, labeling, or holding (warehousing) agricultural food products in their raw or natural state. This includes fruits or vegetables that are washed, colored, or otherwise treated in their unpeeled natural form.
• Retail food facilities, (e.g., restaurant or grocery store) that sell food directly to consumers and have valid permit issued by a local health department.
  
• Processing under a Winegrower’s license or Wine Blender’s license issued by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
• Processing milk and dairy products or meat and poultry products under a valid license issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
• Temporarily holding, non-potentially hazardous, processed foods for up to 7 days. 
• If you are making beer, specifically, AB 746 exempted businesses if: 1) They are exclusively involved in the manufacturing of beer, and 2) They hold a “beer manufacturers” license issued by the California Alcoholic Beverage Control.