Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm signed two bills that will allow individuals to make and package certain types of food in home kitchens and sell them to the public, according to AnnArbor.com.
The new laws change the previous restrictions of requiring individuals to prepare foods in a kitchen certified by the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) and pay a licensing fee.
The standards apply to businesses with gross income of less than $15,000 per year who make and sell foods classified as "non-potentially hazardous foods" meaning that they do not require temperature control for safety. Foods on the list include baked goods, pies, cereal, candy, dry mixes, popcorn, coffee, jams, jellies, vinegar, and dried herbs.
Individuals will be able to sell these goods at farmers markets, roadside stands, county fairs, flea markets and festivals. Items sold at grocery stores, however, must be prepared in a commercial kitchen approved by the MDA and comply with licensing requirements, according to the MI Free Press.
The new law also contains labeling requirements for these "cottage foods." Requirements include that the food package be "labeled with the name and address of the operation, and the food product," the ingredients must be "listed on the label in descending order of predominance by weight," and the net weight or volume and allergen information must be included. The label must also contain a disclaimer that the product was not made in a MDA inspected kitchen.
Governor Granholm stated that the new legislation will promote local products and boost small businesses and farms, encouraging entrepreneurship in the state.
To read the AnnArbor.com story, click here.
To read the MI Free Press story, click here.
For the full text of the bills, click here and here.
Posted: 07/13/2010
