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Food Services BBL — Bakery / Food Products activity + DC Health food manufacturer review: Washington, D.C. restaurant guide

DLCP — Business Licensing Division / DC Health — Division of Food

What it is

Packaging food for sale to other businesses, stores or online makes you a 'food manufacturer' in DC Health's terms. DLCP lists Bakery and Food Products as Food Services activities, and DC Health reviews manufacturers' HACCP plans (fee $200 for food processors).

When a restaurant needs it

Wholesale sales, packaged retail products made for other outlets, or a production bakery. A café baking only for its own counter stays a restaurant.

How to apply

Select the Bakery / Food Products activity on your Food Services BBL in BOSS; email DC Health (haccp.plans@dc.gov) with your process description and HACCP plan where required. Register with the FDA if you ship across state lines.

Documents you’ll need

Fee
$99.00 (2-year) or $198.00 (4-year) Food Services license; DC Health HACCP plan review for food processors $200; FDA food facility registration has no fee
Processing time
Varies; DC Health reviews complete variance submissions within 30 days
Renewal
BBL every 2 or 4 years; FDA registration renews every two years
Who files
Owner or authorized agent; HACCP plans are often written with a food-safety consultant.

Good to know

DC Health currently points food manufacturers to the Caterer license category as 'the most applicable' DLCP category; confirm with DLCP which activity to select so the inspection matches your operation.

Official source

DLCP: Food Services — Bakery / Food Products / Wholesale activities · DC Health: food manufacturers and shared kitchens

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Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Guidance only, not legal advice.