The definition of  "commercial kitchen" means a room or building which meets all the requirements of NH Statutes and Administrative Rules and is not a residential kitchen. "Processing food in a commercial kitchen" means the manufacturing, processing or  packaging of food in a commercial kitchen for the purpose of distribution.

Only the following products are allowed to be processed in a commercial kitchen:

• Acidified foods, including but not limited to pickled products, relishes, salsas and sauces;
• Potentially hazardous foods;
• Foods processed under reduced oxygen packaging methods;
• Foods which undergo aseptic processing and packaging;
• Acid foods, including but not limited to vinegars and mustards;
• Jams and jellies; 
• Baked items, including but not limited to breads, rolls, muffins, cookies, brownies and cakes;
• Double crusted fruit pies;
• Candy and fudge; and
• Packaged dry products including but not limited to spices and herbs.

In order to establish and operate a food service or retail food store in NH,  a person must complete and submit the:

1. Annual Food Service License Application;
2. Food Service Establishment Floor Plan Review Checklist; and
3. Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) Plan.

License applications (new or renewal) must be accompanied by:

• Floor plans, accompanied by $25 fee (new license only);
• Water system requirements;
• Wastewater system requirements; and
• A list describing the food items to be processed including a written review of the scheduled process conducted by a food processing authority on each acidified food, food to be processed under reduced oxygen packaging methods, food to undergo aseptic processing and packaging, acid food, jam or jelly.

The Food Protection Program will conduct an onsite inspection.  If satisfied that the information regarding the applicant, the applicant's operation and facilities are in compliance with NH Administrative Rules for the Sanitary Production and Distribution of Food, a provisional license valid up to 90 days will be issued.  Within 45 days of issuance of the provisional license, another onsite inspection shall be conducted.  If the applicant's operation and facilities continue to be  in compliance an annual license shall be issued that will be valid for a period of one year from the date of issuance of the provisional license.  Licenses are NONTRANSFERABLE.