Are you looking to sell food from home in New Jersey? You’ll need to understand cottage law New Jersey before you can get started. This article will provide an overview of the regulations and what you need to know to get your business up and running.
What is cottage law New Jersey?
Cottage food laws refer to the regulations that govern the sale of food products produced in a home kitchen. These laws vary from state to state, so it’s important to understand the laws in your state before you start selling.
The New Jersey Department of Health oversees cottage food production in the state. New Jersey cottage law allows you to make and sell certain non-potentially hazardous foods from your home kitchen. However, you must follow labeling requirements and adhere to some restrictions.
Allowed Cottage Foods
You can make and sell the following foods from home in New Jersey:
- Baked goods, including bread, rolls, biscuits, cakes, cupcakes, pastries, and cookies
- Candy, including brittle and toffee
- Dried fruit
- Chocolate-covered nuts and dried fruit
- Dried herbs and seasonings
- Dried pasta
- Dry baking mix
- Fruit jams, fruit jellies, and fruit preserves
- Fruit pies, fruit empanadas, and fruit tamales (excluding pumpkin)
- Fudge
- Granola, cereal, and trail mix
- Processed honey and sweet sorghum syrup.
- Nuts and nut mixtures
- Nut butters
- Popcorn and caramel corn
- Roasted coffee and dried tea
- Vinegar and mustard
- Waffle cones and pizzelles
Cottage Law New Jersey Food Labeling Requirements
You must label all cottage food with the following:
1. The common name of the product
2. The ingredients in descending order of predominance by weight
3.”Contains” followed by any of the major food allergens in the ingredients
4. Your name, business name, and Cottage Food Operator Permit number
5. [Your Municipality], New Jersey
6. The statement, “This food is prepared pursuant to N.J.A.C. 8:24-11 in a home kitchen that has not been inspected by the Department of Health.”
What are the restrictions?
The following restrictions apply to foods sold under New Jersey’s cottage food laws:
- You must sell the food directly to the consumer, either at farmers’ markets or through other direct sales.
- You must not adulterate or misbrand the food.
- You must not sell the food in any other state.
- Your sales must not exceed $15,000 annually.
How to get started
If you’re looking to start selling homemade food products in New Jersey, here’s what you need to do:
1. Apply for a Cottage Food Operator Permit
2. Pay the permit fee
3. Obtain a Food Protection Manager Certification from an accredited program
4. Make a copy of your latest water bill
5. Email the above forms to cfo@doh.nj.gov
As always, check the health department website for the most updated information.
Once you’ve met all of these requirements, you’re ready to start selling your products! To make your business run smoothly and efficiently, you’ll want to invest in reliable ecommerce software like Airmart.