Manufacturing of Frozen Desserts - Retail

If you manufacture, process, assemble, freeze or store frozen desserts for distribution or sale to consumers, you need a permit. This permit is from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH). You need this permit along with any other food permits.

Frozen desserts include:

• Ice cream
• Frozen custard
• French ice cream
• French custard ice cream
• Artificially sweetened ice milk
• Fruit sherbet
• Non-fruit sherbet
• Granita
• Water ices
• Non-fruit water ices
• Confection frozen without stirring
• Dairy confection frozen without stirring
• Manufactured dessert mix
• Frozen confection
• Frozen yogurt
• Freezer-made shakes or milkshakes
• Dietary frozen dessert
• "Slushies"
• Whipped cream confection
• Bisque tortoni

You need to renew this permit every year. The renewal form will be mailed to you if you have no outstanding summonses or overdue payments. Fill out the form and send it back with the fee. You need an inspection for the first application but not for renewals. After you get the permit, your equipment will be checked during regular business inspections.

• Submit required documents: You must send documents with your application. Check the Required Documents Checklist to see what you need.

• Pay outstanding fines: Pay all fines for Health Code Violations before applying or renewing a permit. You can pay in person at the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Citywide Licensing Center or pay outstanding fines online.
  
  NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)
  Licensing Center
  42 Broadway, Lobby
  New York, NY 10004
  Email: onlineappsdocs@dcwp.nyc.gov

• Valid email address: You need a valid email address if applying online.

• Permit fees:

  • $25.00: Mobile food vending operation (May 1-October 31)

  • $12.50: Mobile food vending operation (November 1-April 30)

  • $25.00: Food service establishment (six or more months left on permit)

  • $12.50: Food service establishment (less than six months left on permit)

  • $114.00: Food Protection Course (separate payment required)

• Accepted payment methods:

  • Personal check (in person only)
  • Certified check (in person only)
  • Check (in person only)
  • Money order (in person only)
  • American Express
  • Discover
  • Mastercard
  • Visa

• If you applied online: you will get an email receipt.
• If you applied in person: DCWP will give you a receipt.

• Annual renewal:

  • You need to renew this permit every year.
  • You will get a renewal form if you have no outstanding summonses or unpaid fines.
  • Fill out the form and send it back with the fee, if needed.
  • You need an inspection for the first application, but not for renewals.
  • After you get the permit, your machines will be checked during regular business inspections.

• Mobile food vendors:

  • Your permit will expire on April 30 following the date you submit an application, no matter when you get final approval.

• Food service establishments:

  • Your permit will expire on the same day as your Food Service Establishment Permit.

• Online renewals:

  • You can renew your permit online using the NYC Online Licensing system.
  • You need to register first.
  • You can't renew if you have unpaid fines, but you can pay them online before renewing.
  • To renew online for the first time, you need the Personal Identification Number (PIN) from your Renewal Notice. The PIN links your permits to one online account. You only need to link each permit once.
  • If you don't have your Renewal Notice, you can get your PIN by filling out an online PIN Request Form or by calling 311.
  • If you need to upload documents, you will need to download the Microsoft Silverlight application.

• Technical help:

  • If you have problems with the online system, call 311 and ask for Health Permits Online.

• Other permits:

  • Getting a DOHMH permit doesn't cover all the permits you might need.
  • You must get all other permits, licenses and approvals from City and State agencies.
  • You can't use or occupy your business space until you have a Certificate of Occupancy from the NYC Commissioner of Buildings.

• Compliance:

  • If you don't follow all of the regulations, your DOHMH permits might be suspended until you provide proof of compliance.

Additional information

This page explains how to apply for, follow the regulations for and get inspections for a business that makes frozen desserts for retail. It only covers health-related regulations.

• Who can apply online:

  • New permit for a for-profit food service establishment serving frozen desserts. Select Food Service Establishment (general): Also Manufactures Frozen Desserts.
  • New permit for a nonprofit food service establishment serving frozen desserts. Apply for two permits: Food Service Establishment: (fee exempt organization) and Frozen Dessert Manufacturer (Retail): Fee Exempt.
  • Currently permitted nonprofit food service establishments adding frozen desserts. Select Frozen Dessert Manufacturer (Retail): Fee Exempt.

• Who must apply offline:

  • Currently permitted or new mobile food vendors.
  • Currently permitted for-profit food service establishments adding frozen desserts.

• Gather documents: Collect all required documents for your permit.

• Make electronic copies: Create electronic versions of your documents. You can upload PDF, JPG, GIF, PNG, XLS, XLSX, DOC, DOCX, VSD and TXT files.

• Create an account: Sign up with the NYC Online Licensing system. Have your credit or debit card ready for payment. You can save and return to your application later.

• Fill out the application: Select your permit type and fill in the requested information. Fields with an asterisk (*) are required. Upload your documents either individually or as a single file.

• Pay and submit: Pay with a credit or debit card to complete your application.

• Application processing: The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene will review your application and may ask for more information.

• Submit missing documents: If you didn't upload all required documents, you will get a letter asking you to submit them in person or by mail within 10 days or withdraw the application. If you fail to respond to the letter, you will receive a second letter. If you don't respond to the second letter, your application will be terminated. You can request a refund by calling 311. Refunds are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

• Check application status: Check your application status online or by calling 311. Approved permits will be mailed to your address.

• Complete application form: Fill out the permit application form and gather all required documents.

• Submit in person: Bring your completed forms and documents to the DCWP Citywide Licensing Center. Applications are not accepted by mail.
  
  NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)
  Licensing Center
  42 Broadway, Lobby
  New York, NY 10004

• Check application status: Call 311 and ask for Frozen Dessert Permit Status.