Hi everyone, I’m in Ontario, Canada and hoping to hear from someone here who might be familiar with the cottage food laws. There are different rules in each country and province, so I thought I’d ask here.
I’ve been making some tasty and healthy low-risk foods at home. These include items that don’t need temperature control and are considered non-hazardous. Some examples are:
• Most breads and buns (no meat or cream fillings)
• Most baked goods (no custard)
• Chocolate, hard candies, and brittles
• Fudge and toffees
• Granola, trail mix, nuts, and seeds
• Cakes, brownies, muffins, and cookies (with icing that doesn’t need refrigeration)
• Coffee beans and tea leaves
I also make soup, jam, and other items that aren’t on this list.
I found out about Cottage Food Laws and read some info online, but there’s a lot of confusion. Some say I need to inform the government, but others say I don’t need to tell anyone. I’ve heard I don’t even need a food handler’s license, but I plan to get one anyway because it’s a good idea. I also plan to get liability insurance for less than $400 a year.
I’d really appreciate any clear, factual info on this.
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I’m not in Canada, but I’m in Colorado, US. In my state, they don’t require me to file anything, but the local county does require a Cottage Food permit.
I’d suggest contacting your local health department. They’ll point you in the right direction and give you the correct answer.
@Ari
Thanks for the info! Is it hard to get the Cottage Food permit? What’s involved in the process, and how long does it take?
I’ve been trying to reach local authorities and even called the province, but it’s a hassle. The wait time is long, and I often get transferred to the wrong department.
I’ll keep trying until I find the right person to speak with.
@Zen
It’s actually pretty easy. You just fill out a couple of forms that ask about how much you expect to sell and what kind of products you’re offering.
They’ll give you a number to put on your products, so they can trace them if needed. They also offer free inspections where they’ll visit your space and provide feedback on how to improve things and get closer to USDA standards.
They also partner with the local 4H office to offer classes for canning and food storage.