New Cottage Food Operation Law in CA

California has finally passed a new law that makes sense! AB 1616, the California Homemade Food Act, went into effect January 1 and allows for preparing food for sale at home. And if you're doing direct sales only, your Cottage Food Operation (CFO) permit doesn't even require a kitchen inspection. How cool is that?

There are restrictions on the types of food that can be prepared, labeling requirements and a required online food handling course, but this is still HUGE! For those who don't know, it was previously illegal in California to make any foods at home for the consumption of other people (unless you had an approved commercial kitchen). While most authorities looked the other way when passing a bake sale, even that type of innocent fundraiser was technically against the law. Excerpted below is the full list of currently allowable foods:

Approved Food Products List (January 1, 2013):
(1) Baked goods, without cream, custard, or meat fillings, such as breads, biscuits, churros, cookies, pastries, and tortillas.
(2) Candy, such as brittle and toffee.
(3) Chocolate-covered nonperishable foods, such as nuts and dried fruits.
(4) Dried fruit.
(5) Dried pasta.
(6) Dry baking mixes.
(7) Fruit pies, fruit empanadas, and fruit tamales.
(8) Granola, cereals, and trail mixes.
(9) Herb blends and dried mole paste.
(10)Honey and sweet sorghum syrup.
(11) Jams, jellies, preserves, and fruit butter that comply with the standard described in Part 150 of Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations. (12) Nut mixes and nut butters.
(13) Popcorn.
(14) Vinegar and mustard.
(15) Roasted coffee and dried tea.
(16) Waffle cones and pizelles.

Folks in California can now legally make money at home creating tasty treats for sale!

For complete info, just head over to the Cottage Food Operations page on the CDPH website.