When does first inspection for a new food-manufacturing plant happen?

Hi there, writer/journalist here. For a brand-new food-manufacturing facility, does the first FDA inspection happen prior to operation? Or not until some time after? Thanks.

Hi B. Faraday,

It depends on state. You first need to get licensed as a food manufacturer in your state, which normally includes a pre-operational or startup inspection to issue the license itself. FDA only gets involved if you sell products out of your state, and they may never actually come inspect themselves, but instead contract state inspectors to perform inspections on their behalf. In general the regulations are very similar because states adopt 21 CFR by reference.

If you provide more information on the state you're looking at, we can provide more specifics. But in general, to apply for a food manufacturers license/permit each state requires a "plan review" and doesn't give you an application or license until the site has been inspected.

Of course, that all goes out the window if you just start a business and don't inform the state. In which case they have no way of knowing you started a food business unless they drive by or someone tells them.