Program Information
The Cottage Food Bill allows Californians to prepare approved non-potentially hazardous food products at home for direct or indirect sales. Operators must adhere to health and safety regulations, labeling requirements, and sales limits.
Cottage Food Operations (CFO) Approved Foods List
All food products sold by Cottage Food Operators (CFO) must be listed on the CDPH CFO Approved Food List and prepared, packaged, and labeled per the California Health and Safety Code. View the list here.
The Cottage Food Bill was signed into law on September 21, 2012, and became effective on January 1, 2013. This law allows residents in California to prepare approved food products in their home kitchen for direct sales to the public (CFO Class A) or direct and indirect sales to the public (CFO Class B). Approved Cottage Food Products are non-potentially hazardous foods which pose a low risk for bacteria contamination and foodborne illness.
All food products sold by Cottage Food Operators (CFO) must be listed on the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Cottage Food Operations (Approved Food List) and prepared, packaged, and labeled per the California Health and Safety Code. Additional fees will apply for the investigation of valid complaints and re-inspections related to improperly labeled products or unapproved products offered for sale.
The CFO must maintain sanitary conditions, maintain compliance with food and allergen labeling requirements in accordance with federal and state regulations, and comply with established gross annual sales limits.
Cottage Food Operation (CFO) CLASS A
CFO Class A Operators can only sell directly to consumers.
A “Class A” Cottage Food Operation is one that may engage only in direct sales of cottage FOOD products from the Operation or other direct sales venues.
“Direct sale” means a transaction within the state between a Cottage Food Operation operator and a CONSUMER, where the CONSUMER purchases the cottage food product directly from the Cottage Food Operation. Direct sales include, but are not limited to, transactions at holiday bazaars or other temporary events, such as bake sales or food swaps, transactions at farm stands, certified farmers’ markets, or through community-supported agriculture subscriptions, and transactions occurring in person in the Cottage Food Operation.
Cottage Food Operation (CFO) Class B
CFO Class B Operators can sell directly to customers and indirectly to Permitted Retail Food Facility Operators (markets, bakeries, restaurants etc.).
A “Class B” Cottage Food Operation is a Cottage Food Operation that may engage in both direct sales and indirect sales of cottage FOOD products from the Cottage Food Operation.
“Direct sale” means a transaction within the state between a Cottage Food Operation operator and a CONSUMER, where the CONSUMER purchases the cottage food product directly from the Cottage Food Operation. Direct sales include, but are not limited to, transactions at holiday bazaars or other temporary events, such as bake sales or food swaps, transactions at farm stands, certified farmers’ markets, or through community-supported agriculture subscriptions, and transactions occurring in person in the Cottage Food Operation.
“Indirect sale” means an interaction between a Cottage Food Operation, a third-party retailer, and a consumer, where the CONSUMER purchases cottage FOOD products made by the Cottage Food Operation from a third-party retailer that holds a valid permit issued pursuant to Section 114381. Indirect sales include, but are not limited to, sales made to retail shops or to RETAIL FOOD facilities where FOOD may be immediately consumed on the PREMISES.
CFO Application Submittal Requirements
Alameda County residents interested in becoming a Cottage Food Operator, must obtain approval from the Alameda County Health, Environmental Health Department and the City Planning Department.
The following documents must be submitted and re-submitted upon renewal of the annual permit, with the required fee for review to the Alameda County Environmental Health Department:
- Completed CFO Registration/Permit Form
- Completed Self Certification Checklist
- Completed Permit Application
- Foodhandler Card Certificate
- Label Samples (one for each category of proposed food products)
- Proof of Business Directory Listing (if the CFO Owner chooses to list the business name instead of the Owner’s name on the label)
- Well water Testing Results (For CFO Operators whose water is supplied by a private well)
CFO Documents and Resources
- ACEHD CFO Registration/Permitting Form
- ACEHD CFO Self Certification Checklist
- California Foodhandler Card Accredited Provider List
- CCDEH FAQ
- CDPH Approved Cottage Food List
- CDPH California Homemade Food Act Frequently Asked Questions
- CFO Label Requirements
- Do You Qualify As A Cottage Food Operation? CPDH Decision Tree
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Allergen Labeling Requirements