Manufacturers

Manufacturers

The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) regulates food manufacturing facilities and warehouse distribution facilities to make sure that food is produced safely, meets quality standards, and is accurately labeled.

Highlights

  • About this Program

    The Manufactured Food Program protects consumers' health by ensuring that food in Georgia is prepared in a clean environment and presented honestly and transparently. The program’s inspectors, known as processing specialists, conduct random, unannounced inspections of food manufacturing and warehouse distribution facilities throughout Georgia such as processing plants, wholesale bakeries, and bottled water and drink processors. (Facilities that process meat and poultry products are regulated by the GDA Meat Inspection Section and the USDA Food Safety Inspection Service.) The inspectors collect food and water samples and review sanitation practices and product labels. All specialists have received advanced training in appropriate specialized processing operations.

  • Samples, Testing, and Reporting Requirements

    All Georgia food manufacturers must test finished products and their ingredients. Every processing facility is assigned a risk category that determines how often testing must be conducted.

    If test results show that a product contains poisonous or deleterious substances/contaminants, inform the GDA within 24 hours (even if the product is still in your control) at 404-657-4801 or postiveresults@agr.georgia.gov. You will probably need to report the results to the FDA and/or USDA as well.

  • Special Processes

    Classified Product Requirements

    If you’re producing a product that needs to be classified (e.g., acidified food or low-acid canned food), review the Guidelines for Food Processing Safety.

    Better Processing Control Courses

    You may need to take a course with a Better Processing Control School of your choice. The University of Georgia offers some in-person classes – view upcoming dates on the UGA Calendar of Events.

    The University of California, Davis, offers an online course. So do other universities and centers of learning throughout the U.S.

    Product Registration

    Visit the FDA webpage on Establishment Registration & Process Filing for Acidified and Low-Acid Canned Foods (LACF) to learn about product registration and process filing.

    Other Requirements

    If you need a Wholesale Fish Dealer’s License, you must take a Seafood HACCP course. See our Seafood Safety webpage for more information and additional resources.

    To wholesale/distribute juice products, you must meet the requirements in the 21 CFR 120 regulations. Note: Unpasteurized juice cannot be sold wholesale in Georgia.

    Breweries and distilleries can sell directly to consumers from their premises as long as they follow these rules.

License Types

Licenses for this Program

Licenses for this Program

Laws & Regulations

Laws and Regulations

Laws and Regulations

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Resources and Partners

Application Materials
Resources
Guidelines