Bill > S553

This bill aims to promote economic opportunities for cottage food entrepreneurs in Massachusetts. The key provisions are: 1. Local boards of health are prohibited from establishing rules or regulations for cottage food operations. 2. "Cottage food operation" is defined as a person who produces cottage food products only in their home kitchen for retail sale directly to consumers either in person, by telephone, internet, or mail delivery. "Cottage food product" is defined as a non-time/temperature control for safety food, such as baked goods, jams, or other non-perishable items. 3. Cottage food operations are exempt from permitting, licensing, inspection, packaging, and labeling requirements for food establishments, except that they must provide certain information to consumers, such as the operation's name and address (or a personal identification number), the product's name and ingredients, and a statement that the product was produced in a residence exempt from state licensing and inspection requirements. The Department of Public Health can establish a voluntary registry for cottage food operations to obtain a personal identification number in lieu of providing their address.