Bill > S671

Introduced Session

This bill establishes requirements for the sale of home baked goods, such as bread, rolls, cakes, pies, pastries, candies, and cookies. The bill defines "baked goods" as ready-to-eat baked food prepared in a private kitchen that does not require further cooking or refrigeration for food safety and is not a "potentially hazardous food," which is defined to mean a food that requires time or temperature control for safety to limit pathogenic microorganism growth or toxin formation. Home baked goods may be made using a potentially hazardous food, provided that the final product as offered for sale is not a potentially hazardous food. Under the bill, baked goods may not be sold or offered for sale except at the home baker's home, a consumer's home, a farmer's market, a farm stand, or a county, municipal, or nonprofit fair, festival, or event; the bill prohibits selling or offering for sale home baked goods over the Internet, wholesale, or to a commercial retailer for resale. The gross income generated by the home baker from the sale of baked goods may not exceed $50,000 per year. The home baker and any person assisting the home baker must possess a current, valid food handler's certificate. A clearly-visible placard is to be placed at the point of sale, which states in clear, legible print that the baked goods were prepared in a kitchen that is not subject to regulation and inspection by the Department of Health (DOH). Baked goods are to be packaged in a manner that prevents or reduces the risk of contamination, unless the size, shape, or other characteristics of the baked good makes such packaging impractical or unnecessary. Finally, each baked good is to be labeled with the name of the home baker and the address where the baked good was prepared; the name of the baked good, including a description of the type or nature of the baked good if not apparent from the name; any major food allergens used as an ingredient in the baked good, such as eggs, nuts, wheat, soy, dairy, or peanuts; and a statement that reads: "This food is made in a home kitchen that is not subject to regulation and inspection by the Department of Health." The Commissioner of Health is to promulgate a list of food handler certification agencies approved to issue certificates for the purposes of the bill. DOH will have no other authority to regulate or inspect home bakers or the sale or production of home baked goods, and the preparation and sale of home baked goods may not be regulated or restricted by municipal ordinance. Nothing in the bill will prohibit a neighbor or other affected person from bringing a nuisance action against a home baker. Local boards of health will have the authority to inspect baked goods and places where baked goods are prepared upon reasonable belief or credible report that the baked goods, or the conditions under which they are prepared, present an immediate and serious threat to human life or health. If the board finds the baked goods or the conditions under which they are prepared constitute a threat, the board may order any appropriate relief, including, but not limited to: confiscation or destruction of the baked goods; remedial action to correct an unsafe or potentially hazardous condition; or issuance of a temporary or permanent injunction prohibiting the home baker from preparing and selling baked goods.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Christopher Bateman (R)*,  Paul Sarlo (D)*,  Gerald Cardinale (R),  Michael Doherty (R),  Tom Kean (R),  Steven Oroho (R),  Shirley Turner (D), 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee (on 01/09/2018)