Bill > H915

This bill aims to regulate cottage food operations in Massachusetts. It defines a "cottage food operation" as a person who produces non-time/temperature control for food safety products, such as jams, baked goods, and candies, solely in their home kitchen for direct retail sale to consumers. The bill exempts cottage food operations from certain permitting, licensing, inspection, packaging, and labeling requirements, but requires them to provide specific information to consumers. The Department of Public Health is tasked with providing guidance on acceptable cottage food products and best practices, as well as maintaining a voluntary electronic registry for cottage food operations. The bill also prohibits local boards of health and zoning boards from establishing additional rules or regulations for cottage food operations.