What permits you need to sell food

A few weeks ago, Emiliana Guzzo (food scientist with a degree in Food Technology) gave a webinar for Agrojusto, clearly explaining what permits you need to sell food. The acronyms R.N.E. and R.N.P.A. may not mean much to you, but they're essential if you want to start making certain products.

Before registering or starting any paperwork, you need to be clear about what type of product you'll make and what type of process it requires. The most important thing is to get advice from a professional food scientist. For example (although you may think they're the same or very similar), the production process for a fruit paste, a jam and a jelly are very different.

Why do you need to know the permits for selling food?

Because the Argentine Food Code (Código Alimentario Argentino, CAA) requires establishments, producers, food makers and repackagers to obtain and keep their permits up to date before starting operations. Registration and authorization with the
competent local health authority, as well as registration of food products before selling them, are essential.

What is the R.N.E.?

The National Establishment Registry (Registro Nacional de Establecimientos, RNE) is a certificate granted to a company that makes food. It must be kept at the establishment where the food is produced.

It is proof that the company is formally registered and authorized to carry out the declared activity.

How do you get it?

It is obtained by submitting to the relevant agency the establishment's details (lease agreement or title deed, articles of incorporation and CUIT tax ID certificate), the administrative requirements (proof of legal standing or power of attorney and the owner's details) and the health requirements (schematic floor plan and municipal certificate). It's recommended to first apply for the municipal certificate for the production facility.

Once all the required documents have been submitted, an evaluation and an audit are carried out to verify that the establishment meets all the required good practices.

The good practices evaluated are:

• Water supply.
• Facility infrastructure.
• Layout of spaces.
• Safety and hygiene.

If everything is in order, the RNE is granted and you can apply for the RNPA.

What is the R.N.P.A.?

It is the National Food Product Registry (Registro Nacional de Producto Alimenticio) for the product you want to sell. It is obtained based on the ingredients and the production process of each product. The food code's rules for each type of product must be followed to the letter.

We recommend getting advice from a technical director (a food scientist or agronomist) so you know exactly what to keep in mind and don't waste time or money.

Taking the example of making a fruit paste, some process requirements would be:

• Sourcing of raw materials.
• Washing.
• Peeling and cutting.
• Cooking.
• Packaging.
• Heat treatment.
• Labeling.

As for labeling, we go into a bit more detail and tell you what to keep in mind:

• Product name.
• List of ingredients.
• Net contents.
• Name or company name of the food maker.
• Address.
• RNE and RNPA.
• Lot identification.
• Shelf life.
• Special storage requirements.

We want to stress again that the requirements depend on each product.

You may also like: How to open your health food store or natural grocery store online

We recommend watching: Webinar on permits for selling food

Conclusion

Keep the points above in mind and get advice from an expert if you want to make food. Don't waste time or money.

Remember that creating your online store on Agrojusto is completely free, and on the platform you'll find the Complete guide to permits for selling food.