A cottage food production operation is defined in Chapter 2715 of the Ohio Revised Code to mean a person who, in the person’s home, produces food items that are non time/temperature controlled for safety products (TCS), including bakery products, jams, jellies, candy, fruit butter and similar products specified in the rule. These food must be labeled properly or they will be considered misbranded or adultered. Foods that can be prepared in the home include:
- Non-TCS bakery products, (i.e. cookies, breads and brownies.)
- Jams
- Jellies
- Candy
- Fruit butters
- Granola, granola bars, granola bars dipped in candy
- Popcorn, flavored popcorn, kettle corn, popcorn balls, caramel corn
- Unfilled, baked donuts
- Waffle cones
- Pizzelles
- Dry cereal and nut snack mixes with seasonings
- Roasted coffee, whole beans or ground
- Dry baking mixes in a jar, including cookie mix in a jar
- Dry herbs and herb blends
- Dry seasoning blends
- Dry tea blends
Cottage food operations cannot process or sell acidified foods, low acid canned foods, any TCS foods or any non-TCS foods not listed above. Vacuum packaging is also prohibited.
Products sold in a cottage food operation are required to have proper labeling. The requirements are as follows:
- Name and address of business
- Ingredients of the food product in descending order of predominance by weight
- Net weight or net volume of the product
- The following statement in 10-point font “THIS ITEM IS HOME PRODUCED”
- Allergen labeling must be followed as specified in the federal labeling requirements
- If a nutritional claim is made (i.e. low fat, or low salt) a nutrition label must also be included
Cottage food products may only be sold in Ohio. Correctly labeled products can be sold from site of production, in grocery stores, farmers markets, etc.
Cottage food operations do not need a food license.
A home bakery is an option for an individual who plans to bake bakery products in their home, if they do not qualify for the “cottage food production operation” category such as wishing to sell cheesecakes or cream cheese frosting.
For questions regarding a home bakery, please contact the Ohio Department of Argiculture Division of Food Safety at foodsafety@agri.ohio.gov or 1-800-282-1955.
Updated: 04/26/2011 M.Delane