ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
CERTIFICATE OF FREE SALE PROGRAM
Rev. 07/22
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is authorized, upon request, to issue certificates of free
sale in accordance with the Illinois Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (410 ILCS 620) and the Illinois Food, Drug,
and Cosmetic Code (77 Ill. Adm. Code 720.35). The act and code are linked here for reference:
Illinois, Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (410 ILCS 620):
https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=1577&ChapterID=35.
Illinois Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Code (77 Ill. Code 720):
https://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/077/07700720sections.html
IDPH will approve issuance of a certificate of free sale only for items from Illinois food and dairy
manufacturers, processers, packers, warehouses, or Illinois single-service plants that manufactures
single-service containers as provided in Section 720.35 of the Illinois Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Code (77
Ill. Adm. Code 720). IDPH only provides certificates of free sale to firms inspected, surveyed, permitted,
or licensed by IDPH.
IDPH will not approve a certificate of free sale for medical equipment, devices, drugs, cosmetics, vitamins,
and dietary supplements as defined the Illinois Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, even if manufactured,
processed, packaged, or stored in Illinois. IDPH will not issue a certificate of free sale to a business,
corporation, or entity that is only headquartered in Illinois but manufactures, processes, packs, or
warehouses in another state.
The certificate of free sale covers only existing conditions of the items and shall not be interpreted as a
guarantee, explicit or implied, for all items of the said company at all times in the future. The issuance of
a certificate of free sale does not preclude IDPH from taking regulatory action against such items in the
future if action is warranted.
Instructions for requesting certificate(s) of free sale from IDPH
1. Complete the Certificate of Free Sale Request Form. You are only required to complete one
request form per request package regardless of the number of certificates needed. This request
form serves as the cover letter to IDPH. No additional letter to IDPH is needed.
2. Complete the fillable template(s). The most up-to-date copy of these templates are available on
the IDPH website in a fillable PDF format. Fill in the designated areas with the appropriate
information. Upon completion, print in color on 8.5 x 11 landscape document and submit as
instructed.
a. Prepare the certificate wording using the attached format sample. You are allowed to
change only the designated areas. The full company plant address, including street
address and city, is required.
b. A maximum of five products may be listed on the certificate. The product should be listed
by the common name only. Do not include lot numbers, expiration dates, container
numbers, shipment details, etc.
c. Check that you have the number of certificates needed printed. IDPH does not make
copies.
d. Save a copy of the template(s) to your computer.
3. Submit a request form, completed template(s), appropriate required fee, and return mailing
method to IDPH.
a. Enclose the required fee ($10 per certificate) using a check or money order payable to the
Illinois Department of Public Health.
b. Enclose a stamped, pre-addressed return envelope or completed express label with your
account number for the return of requested certificate(s).
Certificate of Authority or Apostille
When a Certificate of Authority or Apostille is needed, include the requirements for the Secretary of State
(SOS) Index Department along with your certificate of free sale request. Provide a forwarding mail method
so IDPH may forward all completed documents to the SOS Index Department. The SOS Index Department
will forward all documents back to you. Go to https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/index/apostilles.html
for more information about the SOS Index Department guidelines and request process.
Allow a minimum of two weeks for IDPH to process requests.
FAQs about IDPH certificates of free sale are available on the IDPH website:
https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/food-safety/certificate-free-sale.html.
Additional questions can be emailed to [email protected].
ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
CERTIFICATE OF FREE SALE REQUEST FORM
Rev. 03/24
Complete the information below and submit with required materials and fee discussed below.
Company Name:
Illinois Address:
IDPH Issued ID #:
Company Contact:
Contact Telephone:
Contact Email:
Total Number of Certificates Requested:
Total Fee ($10 per Certificate):
The submission must include the following:
1. A completed copy of this Certificate of Free Sale Request Form. Only one form is required per
submission package.
2. Completed certificate template(s). The certificate templates must be printed in color on 8.5 x 11 paper
in the landscape format. The completed certificate template(s) must include:
a. The complete firm address including street address and city.
b. Product(s) listed by common name only. Do not include lot numbers or expiration dates. A
maximum of five (5) products may be listed.
c. Check that you have the number of certificates needed printed. IDPH does not make copies.
3. Include the appropriate required fee. The fee is $10 per requested certificate. Fee may be submitted
with a check or money order payable to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
4. Return mail method. Please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope ore express label with
company’s account number.
Mail to: Free Sale Program
Illinois Department of Public Health
Food, Dairies, and Devices Section
525 W. Jefferson St., 3
rd
Floor
Springfield, IL 62761
Department Use Only
Request Received:
Certificate Mailed:
