Apply for a Food Establishment Permit

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  

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