Temporary Food Permits

If you or your organization will be serving food, you will need a Temporary Food Service Operating Permit (TFP). Please be aware the permits are only intended for "temporary" food service for a few hours on one specific date. However, if you have an event that takes place over the course of no more than three days in the same location, you can fill out one permit for the entire event. In your event description you must include food service times for each meal. If you intend to establish a more permanent daily food service you must speak with the MU Sanitarian at 882-7018.

 

When Do I Need a Temporary Food Permit?

A temporary food permit is required for food service events if the event is located on the University of Missouri campus and meets any of the following conditions:

  • The event is sponsored by an MU department of group, including registered student organizations.
  • The event is open to the public or the University of Missouri campus community - MU students, faculty, and staff.
  • Event information was advertised in public media (e.g., posters, flyers, social media) or wider campus communications (e.g., email, word of mouth).
  • The event is sponsored by a non-MU group and the University of Missouri campus community members are invited to attend.

 

When Don't I Need a Temporary Food Permit?

If you are using an existing on-campus food provider or a Qualified Caterer as listed at https://reservations.missouri.edu/qualified-caterers/, and you are not preparing, cooking or serving any additional food, you no longer have to request a Temporary Food Permit from EHS for that event. If you are unsure if you should submit one, you can email us at muehssanitarian@missouri.edu or proceed with the permit process and include questions/comments with your submission.

You also do not need to obtain a Temporary Food Permit if you are only serving the following beverages: coffee, iced coffee, tea, iced tea, water, bottled or canned beverages, lemonade/limeade from a powder or pre-mixed and/or hot chocolate from a powder. (If you are making fresh lemonade/limeade, we do require a permit.) Also understand that if you are serving anything other than the aforementioned beverages, such as cookies, bagels, cupcakes, you do need to submit a request.

  • A TFP is not required if the event is not held on university property.
  • A TFP is not required if the event is invitation only and is privately hosted and attended by a non-MU group.  MU property is used but the campus community is not invited and will not attend (e.g., weddings, birthday parties, religious celebrations, where the campus community is not invited and will not attend).
  • A TFP is not required when the only food served is non-perishable, commercially pre-packaged, ready to eat foods (e.g., prepackaged chips and candy).
  • A TFP is not required when the only food served is whole, uncut fruits and vegetables.

 

FAQ

Why could a TFP application be denied?

  • A TFP application could be denied if the food source does not meet EHS risk-based screening criteria.  The MU sanitarian will be available for questions and to guide you to new possibilities for your event.

What can I do if my application is denied?

  • If your application is denied, resubmit your TFP application with another food source.  Keep in mind the reason for the denial indicated on your original application.

Do I need a TFP if I am using a preferred caterer or Campus Dining Services?

  • No, a TFP is not required if using a preferred caterer or Campus Dining Services.

Do I need a TFP if I am having a wedding on University Missouri property?

  • No, you do not need a TFP if the event is invitation only and private.  Event is not for the MU campus community and MU community is not invited.

Why have I not heard back on the status of my TFP application?

  • If you have not received a temporary food permit for your event, questions have been asked of you in EHSA.  You will need to answer the questions for your application to move forward.

When do I need a food handler card?

  • You will need a food handler card when you are cooking/preparing/serving temperature control safety foods for an event and the event is open to the public and to our campus community.

 

Obtaining a Temporary Food Permit - MU Employee Instructions

Requests must be made at least seven business days in advance. You must read the Temporary Food Permit Guidelines before you complete the form and attest that you will assure the guidelines are followed for your event. After you have read the guidelines, please follow the steps below:

  1. Log into EHS Assistant at the link below by using your Pawprint.  
  2. If this is your first time logging into EHS Assistant, please reference these PDF instructions. It can take up to one business day for a newly registered employee or student to receive an active EHS Assistant profile.
  3. Once you have logged into EHS Assistant, click the EHS Assessment icon. 
  4. Select Browse New Forms, on the top left of the page. 
  5. Select Temporary Food Permit and complete all required fields. 
  6. Select Save as Complete, and the system will generate and automatic email letting you know of the submission.  The University Sanitarian will be notified and review the information.  If additional information is needed, the submitter will receive an email from muehshazmat@missouri.edu notifying them that changes are needed prior to approval. 
  7. Once edits have been made and there are no additional questions, a temporary food permit will be issued via email attachment to the submitter.

A tutorial demonstrating this process can be found at the following link Temporary Food Permit Form Submission.  Be sure, when completing the temporary food permit form, to indicate that the times that food will be served.  For example: The event room is reserved from 11:00AM to 10:00PM - but food will only be served from 5:00PM to 7:00PM in the temporary food permit request.

Click Here to Login to EHS Assistant

Obtaining a Temporary Food Permit - Non-Mizzou Employees or Organizations

In order for individuals or organizations that are not affiliated with MIzzou to obtain a Temporary Food Permit they must read the Temporary Food Permit Guidelines and submit a Temporary Food Permit Request for Non-Mizzou Employees or Organizations. The MU EHS Sanitarian will review the request and contact the submitter to provide approval, rejection, or to request additional information. Requests must be made at least seven business days in advance.  Mizzou employees or organizations must submit their requests via the EHS Assistant web portal as described above.

If you have specific questions concerning your event, the Temporary Food Permits Guidelines, or the Temporary Food Service Operating Permit, please contact the MU Sanitarian at 882-7018.