To open a restaurant in New Mexico, you will need to obtain several permits and licenses. These include a Permit to Operate Food Establishment from the New Mexico Environment Department, a food manufacturing permit if you plan to sell products to other businesses, and a food establishment permit if you are in the unincorporated area of Bernalillo County. Additionally, your staff must have appropriate food handler training, and at least one employee with supervisory and management responsibility must be a Certified Food Protection Manager.
1. Permit to Operate Food Establishment
- Purpose: This permit is required for establishments preparing food and serving it directly to customers. It also covers Mobile Food Establishments, Food Processing Plants, and Mobile Support Units.
- How to Register: The retail food permit application can be found on the New Mexico Government website. After completing the application, you should contact your nearest Environment Department field office. The staff will provide instructions on how to submit your application, set up an opening inspection, and pay permit fees.
2. Food Manufacturing Permit
- Purpose: This permit is required if you plan to sell products to other businesses.
- How to Register: The application for this permit can be found on the New Mexico Government website. After completing this application, you should contact the Manufactured Food Team. The team will provide instructions on how to submit your application, set up an opening inspection, and pay permit fees.
3. Food Establishment Permit (Bernalillo County)
- Purpose: This permit is required to open a restaurant in the unincorporated area of Bernalillo County, New Mexico.
- How to Register: To obtain this permit, you need to contact the county's Health Protection team at (505) 314-0310. You can also find various informational brochures and applications related to food establishment permits on the county's government website.
4. Food Handler Training Certificate
- Purpose: People who handle food, utensils, and food contact surfaces and do not qualify for an exemption must have a food handler card obtained through an accredited food handler training program.
- How to Register: The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredits several organizations that offer Food Handler Training Certificate Programs. You can find more detailed information about each program on the National Accreditation Board website.
5. Certified Food Protection Manager
- Purpose: At least one employee at each permitted food establishment that has supervisory and management responsibility and has authority to direct and control food preparation and service must be a Certified Food Protection Manager from an accredited program.
- How to Register: You can find more information about the accredited programs on the National Accreditation Board website.
For more information, you can visit the New Mexico Environment Department's website, the Bernalillo County's website, and the ANSI's website.
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