Bill > AB1616

This bill, titled "Food safety: cottage food operations," aims to create new opportunities for small businesses by allowing individuals to operate "cottage food operations" from their homes. A cottage food operation is defined as a small business, typically run from a private home kitchen, that produces and sells non-potentially hazardous foods, with annual sales capped at $50,000 starting in 2015. The bill establishes two classes of cottage food operations: "Class A" for direct sales, which requires registration and a self-certification checklist, and "Class B" for both direct and indirect sales (selling through third-party retailers), which requires a permit and an initial inspection. Local governments are required to either classify these operations as a permitted use of residential property or grant permits with reasonable standards for zoning, traffic, parking, and noise. The bill also clarifies that operating a cottage food operation does not constitute a change of occupancy for building and fire codes and exempts these operations from certain definitions of "food processing facility" and "food facility" under existing health and safety laws, provided they are registered or permitted. Furthermore, it outlines specific labeling requirements for cottage food products, including the phrase "Made in a Home Kitchen," and establishes a list of approved non-potentially hazardous foods that can be produced. The bill also includes provisions for training local enforcement agencies on safe food handling practices for cottage food operations and details procedures for permit suspension and revocation.