Understanding the Nuances of Cottage Food Laws in Florida for 2017
The concept of the cottage food industry has always been a ray of hope for many food entrepreneurs in Florida. It has provided a wonderful platform for small-scale producers who make high-quality food products at home and sell them directly to consumers.
But with any industry, it’s essential to understand the laws and regulations that govern operations. In the case of cottage foods, the laws guard the safety and quality of products being sold to the public, making cottage food laws a critical element of the business. In this article, we will explore the nuances of cottage food laws in Florida for 2017, putting a spotlight on critical considerations under this regulation.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is the governing body that oversees all affairs related to cottage foods. The cottage food laws in Florida allow individuals to produce, sell, and store specific types of food products in an unlicensed home kitchen.
Before we delve into the nitty-gritty of Florida laws for 2017, let’s understand the types of foods considered under cottage food laws. The acceptable food products include bread, biscuits, cakes, pastries, cookies, candies, honey, fruit butters, jellies, jams, fruit pies, dried fruits, dry herbs, mixes, popcorn, vinegar, and cereals among others. These items are considered low-risk in terms of food safety since they’re less prone to bacterial growth.
By 2017, Florida had become more accommodating for cottage food operators. Notable changes included the lifting of sales cap which originally was $15,000 annually. As of 2017, cottage food operations can earn an unlimited amount of sales, thus, offering ample opportunities for growth. This was a significant transformation in the cottage food laws in Florida 2017 which gained wide appreciation.
Apart from the changes in sales cap, there were several other features of the cottage food laws florida 2017 that shaped the industry’s operations. Entrepreneurs did not need to acquire a food permit from FDACS, but there were still notable restrictions. One key restriction was that all cottage food sales had to be direct to the consumer. This implies that cottage food operations cannot sell to restaurants, grocery stores, or over the Internet.
Cottage food operators in Florida are also mandated to label their food products. The labeling should contain the name and address of the cottage food operation, name of the food product, ingredients in the food product listed in descending order of predominance by weight, a statement specifying that the product was produced at a cottage food operation and not subject to Florida’s food safety regulations.
The cottage food laws also make it clear that cottage food operators cannot make potentially hazardous foods at their home kitchen. For instance, it prohibits the production of food items that require time or temperature control to retain their safety standards, such as meat products, fish, dairy and canned goods.
Another critical aspect of cottage food laws in Florida is the zoning laws issue. While the FDACS does not control zoning laws, they do highlight that the cottage food operations must comply with all local zoning regulations. Therefore, before starting a cottage food operation, it’s essential to check the zoning laws of the local area.
The thorough understanding of the nuances of cottage food laws is critical for every fledgling entrepreneur who aims to commence selling cottage food items. While 2017 saw significant changes, it’s important to stay updated with the evolving laws that can impact business operations and financial gains.
In conclusion, Florida’s cottage food laws have created a welcoming environment for small-scale food entrepreneurs while protecting consumers from potential safety risks. Understanding these laws for any period, as in 2017, helps businesses adhere to regulatory compliance, safeguard operations, maintain their reputation, and foster growth in Florida’s vibrant cottage food industry.