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Compact or Mobile Food Facility Categories

Use this page to learn what category of food truck (Mobile Food Facility- MFF) or food cart (Compact Mobile Food Operation - CMFO) you are. This will help you understand what food safety, construction, and location requirements you must follow.

Each of the following classifications have different construction and application requirements.

CMFO MFF Classifications

Food Truck - Low Risk Mobile Food Facility

  • Motorized food trucks or trailers
  • Sells prepackages foods
  • No food preparation

Food Truck - High Risk Mobile Food Facility

  • Motorized food trucks or trailers
  • Sells non-prepackaged foods
  • Engages in food preparation

Food Cart - Exempt

  • Non-motorized pushcart, stand, cart, wagon
  • Sells prepackaged, non-potentially hazardous and whole uncooked produce
  • Less than 25 sq. feet
  • Must register with Dept. of Public Health and complete exemption form

Food Cart - Low Risk Compact Mobile Food Operation

  • Non-motorized pushcart, stand, cart, wagon
  • Sells prepackaged, non-potentially hazardous and whole uncooked produce
  • More than 25 sq. feet

Menu examples: prepackaged chips, candy bars, bottled drinks, whole uncut apples, mangoes, bananas, pineapple

Food Cart - Moderate Risk Compact Mobile Food Operation

  • Non-motorized pushcart, stand, cart, wagon
  • Sells unpackaged foods (both non-potentially hazardous and potentially hazardous) and/or prepackaged potentially hazardous foods
  • Engages in limited food preparation
  • Does not offer raw meat, raw poultry, or raw fish

Menu examples: tamales (prepackaged and obtained from an approved food source such as a market or restaurant), acai bowls, coffee, scoopable ice cream, cut fruits

Food Cart - High Risk Compact Mobile Food Operation

  • Non-motorized pushcart, stand, cart, wagon
  • Sells unpackaged foods potentially hazardous food, which can include raw meat, raw poultry, or raw fish
  • Engages in limited food preparation
  • Meets warewashing and handwashing facility requirements for mobile food facilities

Menu examples: tamales (prepared and packaged at a commissary), BBQ chicken, tacos, gyros

Auxiliary Conveyance Unit

  • Stand alone hand sink
  • Stand alone 3 comparment sink with dual integral drainboards
  • Stand alone 3 compartment sink with dual integral drainboards and a hand wash sink
  • Used in conjunction with a Compact Mobile Food Operation

Questions?

Email a health inspector at mobilefood@sfdph.org or visit the Permit Center

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