diff --git a/apps/backend/src/foodManufacturers/manufacturers.service.ts b/apps/backend/src/foodManufacturers/manufacturers.service.ts
index ee4b49ac..63c43349 100644
--- a/apps/backend/src/foodManufacturers/manufacturers.service.ts
+++ b/apps/backend/src/foodManufacturers/manufacturers.service.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,8 @@
-import { Injectable, NotFoundException } from '@nestjs/common';
+import {
+  Injectable,
+  NotFoundException,
+  ConflictException,
+} from '@nestjs/common';
 import { InjectRepository } from '@nestjs/typeorm';
 import { FoodManufacturer } from './manufacturers.entity';
 import { Repository } from 'typeorm';
@@ -28,6 +32,7 @@ export class FoodManufacturersService {
 
     const foodManufacturer = await this.repo.findOne({
       where: { foodManufacturerId },
+      relations: ['foodManufacturerRepresentative'],
     });
 
     if (!foodManufacturer) {
@@ -119,13 +124,17 @@ export class FoodManufacturersService {
   async approve(id: number) {
     validateId(id, 'Food Manufacturer');
 
-    const foodManufacturer = await this.repo.findOne({
-      where: { foodManufacturerId: id },
-    });
+    const foodManufacturer = await this.findOne(id);
     if (!foodManufacturer) {
       throw new NotFoundException(`Food Manufacturer ${id} not found`);
     }
 
+    if (foodManufacturer.status !== ApplicationStatus.PENDING) {
+      throw new ConflictException(
+        `Cannot approve a Food Manufacturer with status: ${foodManufacturer.status}`,
+      );
+    }
+
     const createUserDto: userSchemaDto = {
       email: foodManufacturer.foodManufacturerRepresentative.email,
       firstName: foodManufacturer.foodManufacturerRepresentative.firstName,
@@ -145,13 +154,17 @@ export class FoodManufacturersService {
   async deny(id: number) {
     validateId(id, 'Food Manufacturer');
 
-    const foodManufacturer = await this.repo.findOne({
-      where: { foodManufacturerId: id },
-    });
+    const foodManufacturer = await this.findOne(id);
     if (!foodManufacturer) {
       throw new NotFoundException(`Food Manufacturer ${id} not found`);
     }
 
+    if (foodManufacturer.status !== ApplicationStatus.PENDING) {
+      throw new ConflictException(
+        `Cannot deny a Food Manufacturer with status: ${foodManufacturer.status}`,
+      );
+    }
+
     await this.repo.update(id, { status: ApplicationStatus.DENIED });
   }
 }
diff --git a/apps/backend/src/pantries/pantries.service.ts b/apps/backend/src/pantries/pantries.service.ts
index d21cd516..24eec40b 100644
--- a/apps/backend/src/pantries/pantries.service.ts
+++ b/apps/backend/src/pantries/pantries.service.ts
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import {
   Inject,
   Injectable,
   NotFoundException,
+  ConflictException,
 } from '@nestjs/common';
 import { InjectRepository } from '@nestjs/typeorm';
 import { In, Repository } from 'typeorm';
@@ -117,6 +118,12 @@ export class PantriesService {
       throw new NotFoundException(`Pantry ${id} not found`);
     }
 
+    if (pantry.status !== ApplicationStatus.PENDING) {
+      throw new ConflictException(
+        `Cannot approve a pantry with status: ${pantry.status}`,
+      );
+    }
+
     const createUserDto: userSchemaDto = {
       ...pantry.pantryUser,
       role: Role.PANTRY,
@@ -138,6 +145,12 @@ export class PantriesService {
       throw new NotFoundException(`Pantry ${id} not found`);
     }
 
+    if (pantry.status !== ApplicationStatus.PENDING) {
+      throw new ConflictException(
+        `Cannot deny a pantry with status: ${pantry.status}`,
+      );
+    }
+
     await this.repo.update(id, { status: ApplicationStatus.DENIED });
   }