Bill > SB701

This bill modifies Maryland's definition of "cottage food product" to include nonpotentially hazardous foods and refrigerated baked goods. Specifically, the legislation expands the current definition by replacing "nonhazardous" with "nonpotentially hazardous" and adding a new category of "refrigerated baked goods". The bill defines refrigerated baked goods as food products that require refrigeration to maintain safety, quality, or freshness, and provides examples including cheesecake, custard and meringue, fresh fruit tarts, and refrigerated nonmeat pies. These expanded food categories can be sold directly to consumers from a residence, at farmer's markets, public events, through personal or mail delivery, or to retail food stores and food cooperatives. The changes will take effect on October 1, 2025, which will give food producers and regulators time to prepare for the updated standards. The bill aims to provide more flexibility for small-scale food producers by broadening the types of foods that can be sold as cottage food products.

Budget and Finance

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/SB0701?ys=2025RS