No person shall operate a plant producing, manufacturing, processing, freezing, or packaging mellorine without a permit from the commissioner to engage in such business. Permits issued under this section shall be valid after issuance until January 1 of the next succeeding year and shall be renewed annually. Applications for such permits shall be made to the commissioner upon forms prescribed by the commissioner after complying with the provisions of this article and the rules and regulations of the commissioner and the State Health Department, and upon the payment of the permit fee of $1.00 applicants shall be issued a permit and shall be eligible to produce, manufacture, process, freeze, package, and sell mellorine.