For those who produce fruit and/or veggies and want to create value added product with it on a smaller scale or starting up a business... This is of great interest to you. From: Jean Doss [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Thursday, February 18, 2010 6:06 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Bill introduced in House yesterday defining Cottage food operation and exempting such operation from certain licensing and inspection provisions of State Food Law HB 5837 was introduced yesterday by State Representative Pam Byrnes (D-Chelsea). The bill would amend the Food Law of 2000 to define a "cottage food operation" and allowable products of such an operation, and make those operations exempt from the licensing and inspection provisions of the Food Law. The exemption does not include an exemption from the labeling, adulteration, and other standards in law. In addition to existing labeling and disclosure requirements imposed, the bill would require a cottage food operation to place on the label of any food it produces or packages a statement that substantially complies with the following: "MADE IN A HOME KITCHEN THAT HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE." Sale of allowable foods by a cottage food operation would be limited to homes, farm markets, or roadside stands; municipal farmers markets; county fairs; and town celebrations, festivals, and events. A cottage food operation would not be allowed to sell its products at craft shows, flea markets or other for-profit events; by means of the internet or other media inside or outside this state; at permanent sales venues other than farmers markets, homes, or roadside stands; or by means of consignment or in other licensed retail establishments. Gross sales of eligible products by a cottage food operation could not exceed $15,000 annually. The bill would allow the Dept. of Agriculture to request written documentation to verify the gross sales figure. An exemption under this new section of the Food Law would not affect the application of other state or federal laws or applicable local ordinances. The bill defines "cottage food operation" as "a person who produces or packages non-potentially hazardous food in a kitchen of that person's primary domestic residence." The bill defines "non-potentially hazardous food" as "a food that is not potentially hazardous food as that term is defined in the Food Code, which includes, but is not limited to, baked goods, james, jellies, candy, snack food, cereal, granola, dry mixes, vinegar, and dried herbs. Non-potentially hazardous food does not include home-canned low acid or acidified vegetables, home-canned salsa, or home-canned food; food service items; ready-to-eat meals, mean, sandwiches, cheese, or custard pies; garlic in oil; food that requires temperature control for safety; and bottle water, home24 produced ice products, and other beverages and products." HB 5837 is now before the House Agriculture Committee, chaired by Rep. Mike Huckleberry. Those wishing to express their views on the bill should communicate to their own state representative (to find your state rep., go to: http://house.michigan.gov/find_a_rep.asp ) and copy Chairman Huckleberry in your messages/letters ([log in to unmask]) Jean Doss J. Doss Consulting, LLC 216 N. Chestnut Street Lansing, MI 48933-1021 Ph: 517/999-3165 Cell: 517/202-2302 Fax: 517/484-3332 email: [log in to unmask] If you would like to access previous postings to the Mich-Organic listserv you can copy and paste the following URL into your browser address bar http://list.msu.edu/archives/mich-organic.html