Gina

You cannot do that type of business from home. Instead, you need to use a commercial kitchen. http://forrager.com/faq/#commercial

Geani, probably the best thing would be to create two labels for the different types of cupcakes. If you are selling a package that contains both kinds, then I think it’s okay for you to merge them into one label, but not as useful for the consumer. From what I’ve seen in the grocery store, usually the ingredient lists are separated when a package…[Read more]

I’m not sure about buttercream. Florida’s ag dept has said that it prohibits “milk & dairy products”, but they might allow milk and/or butter in a frosting.

Actually the ag dept’s stance on sampling recently changed, and this element got overlooked when I updated that law page a couple weeks ago. Sorry about that!

You can offer samples as long as they are prepackaged in your home kitchen. They don’t need to have individual labels, but you do need to have a fully-labeled product on-hand to show the…[Read more]

You would need to start using a commercial kitchen and get a license from your health dept. http://forrager.com/faq/#commercial

You would need to start using a commercial kitchen and get a license from your health dept. http://forrager.com/faq/#commercial

Yes, you can use all of those methods, but your sales must be made in-person.

Yes, you need to get a license and find a commercial kitchen to use. Most importantly, you need to talk to your health dept about all the steps required in starting the business. http://forrager.com/faq/#commercial

First of all, although I’m familiar with the law, I’m not really in a position where I could override anything that an official in your area says. Here are my thoughts:
1) Your farmers market manager is telling you that you can’t use the cottage food law. You need to make you food in a commercial kitchen and get a few other things. There’s no…[Read more]

More questions about Brevard County: It seems whatever office I go I get different answers…
Question #1: if I want to sell homemade baked goodies at farmers market venues under Cottage Law, do I still need a Food Permit? This is what a FM’s manager replied: “you must (1)have a food permit, (2) prepare the foods in a facility that meets certain…[Read more]

Actually candy may be one of the only items for which you do need to charge sales tax. For some reason, most categories, like baked goods, are exempt, but candies often specifically require sales tax. At least that is true in other areas of the country. I’m not entirely sure for your area and your situation.

In Florida, an inspection can only happen if a customer has a health concern/complaint. I have never heard of that happening to any CFO across the states… at the very least, it’s exceedingly rare.