James McKenna

Marianne, your Class B permit is for indirect sales, and I think this would qualify for that, as long as the person selling it is doing so within your county (or in other approved counties, where the necessary agreement with the health depts exists). Indirect sales usually happen at food facilities or grocery stores, but it also includes someone…[Read more]

The problem I think some counties are having ( within Environmental Health) is interpreting exactly what the law states. The Specialist I’m in contact with most of the time admits to having trouble making sense of it all. In my county, I’m allowed to use my caramel for my caramel apple pie though when I first submitted my ingredient label for app…[Read more]

Technically, yes you do.

Jan, unfortunately Santa Clara county seems to be the most restrictive county in the state. They are very strict, at least regarding the cottage food laws.

In short, this cottage food law would not apply to you. Not that it would matter anyway… Santa Clara’s cottage food permit fees are very expensive.

Fortunately, there is an exemption for…[Read more]

If you run a cottage food operation, then you can legally only make food from your home kitchen. To make your product in a commercial kitchen, you need to be operating under a different license (which would also allow you to ship out-of-state).

The reason you can’t find anything about out-of-state sales is because those are not allowed under the…[Read more]

Crystal, I can tell you that a cottage food permit is for those only preparing food in their home kitchen. Since you are not doing this, then the law won’t apply to you. As for what’s the best way for you to sell your pre-made goods, I really have no idea. I am totally unfamiliar with the process for using your home as a sales venue outside of the…[Read more]

Generally, PHFs need to be refrigerated and non-PHFs do not require refrigeration. California does not allow pickles as a cottage food, and would also not allow cut produce, unless it’s been baked or prepared in some way to make it shelf-stable. To sell your items, you need to setup a standard food business and make your items from a commercial kitchen.

Sandy, I personally know many cottage food operations in CA that make caramels and have had them approved. However, some counties are a little stricter than others, but I still don’t think any would say no. What county are you from? Of course, the only way to know for sure would be to talk to your county’s environmental health department.

The law…[Read more]