Another win for Governor Josh Shapiro’s priority efforts to reform the Commonwealth’s permitting and licensing processes
Harrisburg, PA – Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced today that the department’s Bureau of Food Safety has substantially reduced the times to renew licenses that are critical to tens of thousands of businesses in keeping their doors open and their customers safe.
In 2023, the bureau sped Milk Inspector License renewals from 20 days in 2022 to four days, an 80% decrease. The bureau decreased Food Establishment License renewals, which includes food manufactures and processors, and Retail Food Facility License renewals, which includes restaurants and other retail food businesses, decreasing approval time by 85% from 20 days to three days. Bureau staff have sustained these efficiencies throughout 2024.
“Governor Shapiro was adamant that government move at the speed of business.” Secretary Redding said. “He inspired our staff to take a step back and look at how we could speed up processes without sacrificing quality. Our staff took those marching orders seriously, and despite major increases in the volume of demand for license renewals, they doubled down and got it done for the businesses who rely on us.”
The number of Milk Inspector License renewals coming due increased from 20 in 2022 to 100 in 2023. Businesses that process and package dairy products rely on up-to-date licenses to ensure the quality and safety of their products. Retail Food Facility License renewals increased by 3.3% during that time from 24,064 to 24,858 statewide, helping restaurants of all sizes reassure their customers they are maintaining high food safety standards in the food they sell.
Food Establishment Licenses coming up for renewal increased from 6,200 in 2022 to 8,292 in 2023. Renewing these licenses quickly, without interruption helps food manufacturers, processors, warehouses, and home-based businesses ensure their retail customers that the food they supply is safe.
The bureau’s staff analyzed data in its existing system to determine where pinch points were. Both types of renewals could not be issued without a passing inspection, which was creating a delay. Supervisors scheduling inspections prioritized inspections for businesses whose renewals were approaching, setting targets for all inspections. Proactive, data-driven scheduling has led to less need to reschedule and greater overall efficiency.
Earlier today, Governor Shapiro established a permitting “fast track” initiative for major economic development and infrastructure projects that will create real opportunity for Pennsylvanians across the Commonwealth. Fast Track builds on the work the Governor has done during his first two years in office to make state government move at the speed of business – creating the Office of Transformation and Opportunity (OTO) to spur economic growth and the Commonwealth Office of Digital Experience (CODE PA) to streamline how Pennsylvanians interact with the Commonwealth online.
OTO is a one-stop-shop for businesses looking to grow and has worked to reignite Pennsylvania’s economy while helping to reform the Commonwealth’s permitting and licensing application processes. CODE PA has helped to improve online services for Pennsylvanians and make them more accessible and effective for Pennsylvanians.
In coordination, OTO and CODE PA designed and created PAyback – a first-in-the-nation money-back guarantee system for Pennsylvania workers and businesses to check their eligibility for a refund of their permit, license, or certification application fee and request a refund if they believe they are eligible.
Learn more about the Department of Agriculture’s work to ensure that food sold in Pennsylvania is safe at agriculture.pa.gov.
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