ODA Considers Expanding List of Cottage Foods

Cottage foods are those that are allowed to be produced in a home without need of a commercial kitchen it allows food entrepreneurs to sell their goods without significant start-up capital.

There will be a public hearing on Wednesday May 13^th at 8:30 am at ODA to review a proposal to expand the list of foods covered under Ohio’s cottage food law.  Full information on the hearing and rules is linked below.

The current rules allow mostly baked goods. The proposed changes will expand that to many other foods. In my opinion, this is one more step toward smaller localized production of food and away from the monopoly large industrial facilities have previously held. It is good for the local economy, good for small farmers and entrepreneurs. I encourage those with an interest in local food production attend the meeting.

Following is the proposed new list:

(1)    Non-potentially hazardous bakery products;

(2)    Jams

(3)    Jellies

(4)     Candy;

(5)    Fruit butters;

(6)    Granola, granola bars, granola bars dipped in candy;

(7)    Popcorn, flavored popcorn, kettle corn, popcorn balls, carmel corn;

(8)    Unfilled, baked donuts;

(9)    Waffle cones;

(10) Pizzelles;

(11) Dry cereal and nut snack mixes with seasonings;

(12) Roasted coffee, whole beans or ground;

(13) Dry baking mixes in a jar, including cookie mix in a jar;

(14) Dried herbs/herb blends;

(15) Dried seasoning blends;

(16) Dry tea blends.

The existing regulations regarding cottage foods are found here.

The public hearing on Wednesday May 13^th at 8:30 will be held in hearing room 133 (seminar “B”of the Bromfield Admin Bldg. Ohio Department of Agriculture, 8995 East Main Street, Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068-3399. Here is the hearing Notice

• It takes approximately 6 weeks from the date of the hearing for a new rule to become law.
• There is no way of knowing how long the hearing will last. It could be a few minutes or longer depending on how much testimony takes place.

***** Another important fact:  If people cannot be here in person the day of the hearing they can write a letter of support and send it to ODA to the attention of Tim Norris.  This letter will be presented at the hearing as testimony, just as if the person is there testifying.
Details of the rules can be found at the Register of Ohio

Links  of the proposed changes are also in the table below:

Rules for Department of Agiculture
Division: Food Safety