Permits and certificates
What a food business in Boston keeps, by how it sells and makes food. Batch Log tracks each one with its status and renewal date.
Fixed place
Common Victualler License
Boston Licensing Board
For a restaurant or other fixed place serving food. It is approved before the Health Permit (Food Establishment) can be issued, and is renewed by the end of October every year.
Health Permit (Food Establishment)
Boston Inspectional Services, Health Division
Issued after the Common Victualler License is approved.
Food truck
Food truck permit
City of Boston (application online or in person; pick-up at Public Works)
Needs permits from Inspectional Services and Fire, a Hawker and Peddler License, a Business Certificate, a Certificate of Liability Insurance, a business plan and a written commissary agreement; there is a $500 annual application fee.
Inspectional Services permit for the truck
Boston Inspectional Services
The food truck application asks for permits from Inspectional Services and Fire.
Fire Department permit for the truck
Boston Fire Department
The food truck application asks for permits from Inspectional Services and Fire.
Hawker and Peddler License
Needed for the food truck permit
One of the documents the food truck application asks for.
Commissary agreement
The licensed food establishment where the truck prepares and stores food
A written agreement with the commissary, which the truck reports to twice a day.
Certificate of Liability Insurance
Your insurer
One of the documents the food truck application asks for.
Business Certificate
Needed for the food truck permit
One of the documents the food truck application asks for.
Curing in house
Variance and HACCP plan for curing
The regulatory authority (Boston Inspectional Services)
A food establishment gets a variance before curing food (Food Code 3-502.11(B)) and submits a HACCP plan with it (8-201.13). Not needed for meat bought already cured from an inspected plant.
FDA Food Code 2013 (adopted in Massachusetts by 105 CMR 590.000)
Manager and allergen awareness
The allergen items apply where food is cooked, prepared or served for immediate consumption (105 CMR 590.011(C)); the certified food protection manager applies unless the regulatory authority deems the operation minimal risk (Food Code 2-102.12(B)).
Certified food protection manager
An accredited certification program
At least one employee with supervisory and management responsibility is a certified food protection manager who passed a test of an accredited program (Food Code 2-102.12). The regulatory authority may exempt operations it deems minimal risk (2-102.12(B)).
FDA Food Code 2013 (adopted in Massachusetts by 105 CMR 590.000)
Massachusetts allergen awareness certificate
A training verification program recognized by the Department of Public Health
Where food is cooked, prepared or served for immediate consumption, the certified food protection manager holds a Massachusetts certificate of allergen awareness training, valid for five years, and keeps employees trained (105 CMR 590.011(C)).
105 CMR 590.011 (C), Food Allergy Awareness Requirements (Cornell LII copy)
Allergen poster in the work area
A poster approved by the Department of Public Health
Where food is cooked, prepared or served for immediate consumption: prominently displayed in the employee work area, no smaller than 8.5 by 11 inches (105 CMR 590.011(C)).
105 CMR 590.011 (C), Food Allergy Awareness Requirements (Cornell LII copy)
Allergen notice on menus and menu boards
Printed menus and indoor and outdoor menu boards
The notice reads: "Before placing your order, please inform your server if a person in your party has a food allergy." (105 CMR 590.011(C)).
105 CMR 590.011 (C), Food Allergy Awareness Requirements (Cornell LII copy)
From the City of Boston's licensing pages, the Food Code and 105 CMR 590.011. Steps and fees change: the offices' own pages decide.