California Homemade Food Act (AB1616) On January 1, 2013, the California Homemade Food Act (AB1616), also known as the Cottage Food Act, went into effect. As a general rule of thumb, cottage food is “non-potentially hazardous” which means they are shelf stable and do not require refrigeration. Check that your foods are on the approved food list. The Cottage Food Act allows for certain state approved foods (PDF) to be prepared in home kitchens. The California Homemade Food Act became effective on January 1, 2013. Licenses and Permits. If you do not find information you are looking for, please contact your local Environmental Health Officer. Class A may only sell their goods directly to the consumer at such locations as Certified Farmers Markets, temporary events, and community events.

Cottage food operations with a Class A permit that conduct direct sales only (see “Do I have to get a permit from the health department?” for more info) will not have their kitchens inspected unless their local health department has a specific reason to suspect that their cottage food operation is violating the law. You can choose from two types of permits, depending on whether you want to sell products directly to customers or through other … If you plan to sell your food in-person directly to consumers (aka "direct sales") from your home or at community events, bake sales, farm stands, farmers markets, or other locations, you need a cottage food operation registration.. Cottage Food Operation Permit - Class B. Cottage Food Operations (CFO) must be registered/permitted through Placer County Environmental Health.CFOs fall into one of two categories:. The registration shall not be transferable. www.sdcdeh.org. Date of the enactment of the California cottage food law: September 21, 2012 Assembly Bill (AB) 1616 Chapter 415, Statutes of 2012, was signed into law by Governor Brown on September 21, 2012; effective January 1, 2013. Cottage food operations with a Class A permit that conduct direct sales only (see “Do I have to get a permit from the health department?” for more info) will not have their kitchens inspected unless their local health department has a specific reason to suspect that their cottage food operation is violating the law. The bill allows individuals … "Indirect sale" means an interaction between a permitted Cottage Food operator, a third-party retailer, and a consumer, where the consumer purchases the cottage food product made by the Class B Cottage Food operator from a third-party retailer that holds a valid permit issued by Environmental Health Services. All individuals who operate this type of home-based businesses are known as Cottage Food Operators (CFOs). Cottage Food Operation Registration - Class A. Cottage Food Operations (CFO) must be registered/permitted through Placer County Environmental Health.CFOs fall into one of two categories:. How to Obtain a Concealed Weapons Permit in California Working as a street vendor requires a license for selling food and a license for your mobile food unit as well. If you have a product that you would like to submit to CDPH for review, you may … The Cottage Food Bill, AB1616, allows certain low-risk food products to be prepared and packaged in private home kitchens in California. Check with your local planning office to determine if you need a business license and city permit first, or if you should get your Cottage Food Permit approved first. This law allows small food businesses that produce "low-risk foods" (such as bake goods, candies, jam/jellies, desserts, and nuts) to operate out of a private home with limited regulatory oversight, as long as certain criteria are met. California Cottage Food Laws and Regulations: How to sell your homemade foods in California California Cottage Food Laws, Regulations and Facts. Cottage food sales may made by the CFO at such locations anywhere within California. You must get a permit from the county health department to operate a home-based food business in California. Class A may only sell their goods directly to the consumer at such locations as Certified Farmers Markets, temporary events, and community events. This act allows foods that fit under the cottage food definition to be made in private homes and sold to the public. A food vending business is a versatile and mobile business that can grow and develop like any other venture. All Cottage Food Operation products must comply with Section 114365.5 of the California Retail Food Code and must be approved by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) for sale by a Cottage Food Operation. “Indirect sale” is defined as an interaction between a CFO, a third-party retailer, and a consumer, where the consumer purchases cottage food products made by the CFO from a third-party retailer that holds a valid permit issued by the local environmental health agency in their jurisdiction. For a list of the allowed products, you may visit our website at .