Who needs to apply for a food establishment permit?
If you are handling food, you must apply for a food establishment permit. Handling food includes, but is not limited to the following activities:
- Collecting
- Displaying
- Distributing
- Harvesting
- Manufacturing
- Packaging
- Preparing
- Processing (i.e., thawing, heating, cutting, cooking, smoking, chilling, reheating, curing, salting, canning, freezing, drying, washing, and pasteurizing)
- Selling
- Serving
- Storing
- Transporting
Note: A permit is required if you are practicing any of the above activities with food and beverages (this includes drinking water or ice).
Who does NOT need to apply for a food establishment permit?
You do NOT need to apply for a permit for:
- A private residence, unless food is being handled for commercial purpose (i.e., operating a day care facility or bed and breakfast out of your private residence).
- A function where food is prepared or served by volunteers of that organization or group.
- A premise used for a bake sale to raise funds for the operation of the organization or for another charitable purpose.
Note: A permit is required if a bake sale is part of a fair, festival, carnival, exhibit, or other special event where food is made available to the public.
How to apply for a food establishment permit
- Complete and submit the Application for a Food Establishment Permit to the NWT Environmental Health Unit.
- You must also submit with your application the following supporting documents:
- Food Safety Training Certificate
- Up-to-date menu
- Up-to-date floor plan / layout
- Hours of operation
- Existing permit(s) (if applicable)
- Copy of Approval to Waive Fee (if applicable)
A food establishment permit is specific to one location only.
Multiple locations = multiple permits as there are different food safety considerations unique to the physical location that need to be assessed.
Forms
Fees
| Class of Food Establishment | Type | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| For-Profit (majority of food establishments) | Annual | $108 |
| Seasonal (three weeks to four months) | $54 | |
| Temporary (less than three weeks) | $25 | |
| Secondary Location (Multi-location operations) | No Fee | |
| Not-for-Profit (charitable purpose or non-profit organizations) | Annual | No Fee |
| Seasonal (three weeks to four months) | ||
| Temporary (less than three weeks) |
Contact this Service
Phone: 1- 867-767-9066 ext. 49262
Email: environmental_health@gov.nt.ca
Hours: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM (Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Sending the Completed Form…
Environmental Health Unit
Government of the Northwest Territories
Department of Health and Social Services
5th Floor, 5015 – 49 ST
Box 1320 Yellowknife, NT X1A 2L9
Fax to: 1-867-669-7517
Email to: environmental_health@gov.nt.ca