Florida Governor Signs Cottage Food Act - Cake Decorating Community - Cakes We Bake2024-03-29T10:32:30Zhttps://cakeswebake.com/forum/topics/florida-governor-signs-cottage?feed=yes&xn_auth=noHello Everyone,
I know every…tag:cakeswebake.com,2011-06-24:4635016:Comment:4531962011-06-24T10:42:54.122ZBarbarahttps://cakeswebake.com/profile/Barbara
Hello Everyone,<br />
<br />
I know everyone is excited that Florida has the Cottage Food Law, and I know everyone has questions. Please give the Dept of Agriculture a chance to get things put together regarding this new law before contacting them. Below is an email I received to help with some of your anxiety.<br />
<br />
Bill 7209 specifying new language in Chapter 500 Florida Statutes was passed during the recent legislative session. This change will allow small food business enterprises to operate without a food…
Hello Everyone,<br />
<br />
I know everyone is excited that Florida has the Cottage Food Law, and I know everyone has questions. Please give the Dept of Agriculture a chance to get things put together regarding this new law before contacting them. Below is an email I received to help with some of your anxiety.<br />
<br />
Bill 7209 specifying new language in Chapter 500 Florida Statutes was passed during the recent legislative session. This change will allow small food business enterprises to operate without a food permit from the Department under certain conditions and restrictions. The bill in essence allows for the production of certain non potentially hazardous foods such as cakes, cookies, jams, jellies, breads, certain dry mixes and vinegars to be prepared in one’s personal residence using only one’s home kitchen appliances. The products may not be prepared in an extended building or with additional equipment. The annual gross sales cannot exceed $15,000. The products may not be sold via the internet, mail order or wholesale , which includes such places as restaurants and food stores. In addition, there are certain labeling requirements. The Department does have the authority to investigate these types of operations on a complaint basis and penalties for non compliance may be imposed. This law will come into effect July 1, 2011. The Department is currently charged with writing rules and guidance documents to further explain what can and cannot be done in such operations. Until such times it is unlawful to prepare any food in one’s personal residence and sell such products.<br />
<br />
Thank You.<br />
Food Inspection<br />
<br />
<br />
Happy Baking<br />
Barbara<br />
<br />
PS I hope to meet some of you at the Day of Sharing in Melbourne Florida Eileen, I wasn't aware you do…tag:cakeswebake.com,2011-06-23:4635016:Comment:4490352011-06-23T10:27:51.495ZBarbarahttps://cakeswebake.com/profile/Barbara
<p>Eileen, I wasn't aware you do not live in Florida. I believe someone is working on getting the Cottage Food Law in Wisconsin already. You may want to check out <a href="http://www.cakecentral.com">www.cakecentral.com</a> Keep in mind every state applies this law differently it all depends on the legislation how they want to write the law. I did not have anything to do with writing our bill. The Florida Cottage Food Act is pretty much like the Michigan one. So if you are going to…</p>
<p>Eileen, I wasn't aware you do not live in Florida. I believe someone is working on getting the Cottage Food Law in Wisconsin already. You may want to check out <a href="http://www.cakecentral.com">www.cakecentral.com</a> Keep in mind every state applies this law differently it all depends on the legislation how they want to write the law. I did not have anything to do with writing our bill. The Florida Cottage Food Act is pretty much like the Michigan one. So if you are going to attempt to get this law going in Wisconsin, do your homework find out who is the strongest in your legislation. We sent many many letters to our State Representatives, and not one representative sponsor the bill. I sent a letter to our Speaker of the House and he is the one who made all this happen for us. We also had a online petition which I included the link with every emailed letter I sent to all the state departments, state reps, and Speaker of the House.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Good Luck,</p>
<p>Barbara</p> Thanks, Barbara - I'd love to…tag:cakeswebake.com,2011-06-23:4635016:Comment:4474022011-06-23T02:39:22.614ZEileen Shttps://cakeswebake.com/profile/EileenS
Thanks, Barbara - I'd love to get a similar bill passed here in Wisconsin so wanted to make sure I understood completely. I greatly appreciate all your work on this bill!!!
Thanks, Barbara - I'd love to get a similar bill passed here in Wisconsin so wanted to make sure I understood completely. I greatly appreciate all your work on this bill!!! No a Food Safety Course is no…tag:cakeswebake.com,2011-06-23:4635016:Comment:4473842011-06-23T02:19:19.183ZBarbarahttps://cakeswebake.com/profile/Barbara
<p>No a Food Safety Course is not required for the Cottage Food Act, it is required for Food Establishments. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Reequirements:</p>
<p>$15,000 Gross Sales</p>
<p>Cannot SELL on the Internet, Mail Order and Wholesale. This does not mean you cannot advertise on the internet.</p>
<p>Label your products, if the cake does not fit in a box, put the label in with the contract or receipt or on the bottom of the cake board. Make sure you include the required statement on the label: …</p>
<p>No a Food Safety Course is not required for the Cottage Food Act, it is required for Food Establishments. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Reequirements:</p>
<p>$15,000 Gross Sales</p>
<p>Cannot SELL on the Internet, Mail Order and Wholesale. This does not mean you cannot advertise on the internet.</p>
<p>Label your products, if the cake does not fit in a box, put the label in with the contract or receipt or on the bottom of the cake board. Make sure you include the required statement on the label: <strong>"Made in a Cottage Food Operation that is not Subject to Florida's food safety regulations" </strong> As far as the label goes everyone can read the exact requirement in the bill that I posted.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>If you have any further questions wait until after July 1st and direct them to the Dept of Agriculture.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Barbara</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p> Just reread it. I guess it d…tag:cakeswebake.com,2011-06-23:4635016:Comment:4477472011-06-23T02:06:09.904ZEileen Shttps://cakeswebake.com/profile/EileenS
Just reread it. I guess it didn't say that. I think I would though so that if the inspectors come in you at least have that backing you up. :)
Just reread it. I guess it didn't say that. I think I would though so that if the inspectors come in you at least have that backing you up. :) Where did you read a food saf…tag:cakeswebake.com,2011-06-23:4635016:Comment:4476262011-06-23T01:43:07.265ZBarbarahttps://cakeswebake.com/profile/Barbara
<p>Where did you read a food safety course is required?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Barbara</p>
<p>Where did you read a food safety course is required?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Barbara</p> So basically you just have to…tag:cakeswebake.com,2011-06-23:4635016:Comment:4476192011-06-23T01:35:30.612ZEileen Shttps://cakeswebake.com/profile/EileenS
So basically you just have to label your products as they stated, take a food safety course, and be willing to open your doors to inspectors if someone complains?
So basically you just have to label your products as they stated, take a food safety course, and be willing to open your doors to inspectors if someone complains? Eileen, if you read the entir…tag:cakeswebake.com,2011-06-23:4635016:Comment:4472412011-06-23T00:31:31.146ZBarbarahttps://cakeswebake.com/profile/Barbara
<p>Eileen, if you read the entire bill yes it is overwhelming, but if you just read the part of the Cottage Food Requirements it is very simple. All you need to be concerned with is from Line 726 and down to the end of the Cottage Food law section. Yes there are other laws incorporated into the bill but all you need to read is that one section of the law that pertains to the Cottage Food Law. That is why I state to scroll down to page 26 line 726, I didn't want everyone to get overwhelmed…</p>
<p>Eileen, if you read the entire bill yes it is overwhelming, but if you just read the part of the Cottage Food Requirements it is very simple. All you need to be concerned with is from Line 726 and down to the end of the Cottage Food law section. Yes there are other laws incorporated into the bill but all you need to read is that one section of the law that pertains to the Cottage Food Law. That is why I state to scroll down to page 26 line 726, I didn't want everyone to get overwhelmed like you did.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Barbara</p> Wow, that wording makes my he…tag:cakeswebake.com,2011-06-22:4635016:Comment:4465752011-06-22T23:32:33.107ZEileen Shttps://cakeswebake.com/profile/EileenS
Wow, that wording makes my head hurt! LOL! I wish there was a simplified version so we'd know what the base line requirements are - it's very convoluted and hard to discern. And I'm a pretty smart cookie! :) Plus it was just sort of thrown in the middle of a whole bunch of other stuff, huh?
Wow, that wording makes my head hurt! LOL! I wish there was a simplified version so we'd know what the base line requirements are - it's very convoluted and hard to discern. And I'm a pretty smart cookie! :) Plus it was just sort of thrown in the middle of a whole bunch of other stuff, huh? Here is the link, page down t…tag:cakeswebake.com,2011-06-22:4635016:Comment:4465652011-06-22T23:19:58.627ZBarbarahttps://cakeswebake.com/profile/Barbara
<p>Here is the link, page down to Page 26, Line 726 and read from that point.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2011/7209/BillText/er/PDF">http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2011/7209/BillText/er/PDF</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>If the link above does not work for you I have also attached the bill to this discussion.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Barbara</p>
<p>Here is the link, page down to Page 26, Line 726 and read from that point.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2011/7209/BillText/er/PDF">http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2011/7209/BillText/er/PDF</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>If the link above does not work for you I have also attached the bill to this discussion.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Barbara</p>