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Idaho Can you legally sell food from home in Idaho?

Cottage Food Law

Idaho has allowed for the sale of low-risk homemade foods for years, but is just now codifying their practices into state rules. The new proposed rules were passed in January 2016, and they should become effective by April 2016. However, it is currently possible to directly sell cottage foods, and the below information describes current practices.

Because Idaho had no law to legalize these home food businesses, a couple cottage food bills were introduced in 2015. The first bill (H106) simply tried to codify the current practice of the health districts, allowing direct sales of low-risk foods. The presence of H106 got the attention of the Northwest Food Processors Association, and they helped create a second bill (H187), which replaced the old one and added a number of restrictions, like registration and a sales limit. Both bills ultimately failed due to conflicting interests, which was a good thing: if H187 had passed, it likely would have made it harder to start a cottage food business in Idaho.

In the summer of 2015, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare held discussions around the state to discuss the status of cottage foods, which ultimately influenced the proposed rules, which imposed minimal regulations. As Patrick Guzzle, the Food Protection Program Manager at IDHW summarized, “We pretty consistently heard from cottage food producers that there needed to be some better definitions, but not regulations around it”.

Selling Where can you sell homemade food products?

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Allowed Foods What food products can you sell from home?

Prohibited Foods

Except for acidified foods, any non-potentially hazardous food is allowed. Some types of items, like fruit butters, apple sauce, pepper jams, etc. may be allowed, depending on the recipe. You should contact your health district to get approval for products you’re unsure about.

Only "non-potentially hazardous" foods are allowed, but certain non-PHFs may not be allowed. Most foods that don't need to be refrigerated (foods without meat, cheese, etc.) are considered non-potentially hazardous. Learn more

Limitations How will your home food business be restricted?

Limitations
There is no sales limit

Business What do you need to do to sell food from home?

Food Risk Assessment Form

Although not required, the health department recommends that all cottage food operations fill out a food risk assessment form, both to confirm that your products are approved, and also to make it easier for you to get accepted into some types of sales venues. Markets and events may require the form.

Food Safety Training

The health department does not require any form of training, but recommends taking a basic food handlers course online to ensure food safety. Courses (such as the ServSafe course) usually take a few hours and cost around $15.

Product Testing

Some types of products, like fruit butters, may be allowed, depending on their recipe. You can submit the product to a private laboratory for testing to ensure that the recipe is safe to use.

Water Testing

If you use a private water supply, the health department recommends that you get it tested every three months.

Labeling How do you label cottage food products?

The health department currently recommends adding labels to your products. Labels will soon be required once the new Idaho Food Code gets finalized, which will require labels to include an allergen warning and a statement that the product was produced in a home kitchen.

Resources Where can you find more information about this law?

Department
Health and Welfare
Contacts

Ed Robinson

Job Title
Food Protection Program Manager
Organization
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
Email
ed.robinson@dhw.idaho.gov
Telephone
(208) 334-4994
About
Ed is familiar with the overall state of the home food industry in Idaho, but to learn more about how to sell homemade food, you should contact your health district.

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