Cottage Food Operation
Cottage Food Operation Registration Permit
There are two classifications of operators. “Class A” CFOs are only allowed to engage in “direct sales” of cottage food. “Class B” CFO's may engage in both “direct sales” and “indirect sales” of cottage food. Application applies to both Class A and B Cottage Food Operations. All cottage food operations must be registered or permitted by their local environmental health agency before commencing business.
agency note:
Cottage Food Operations Packet. Includes: Application, Self Certification List, Sample Labels, Food Products & Ingredients List.
County of Orange
Health Care Agency
Environmental Health
241 E. Dyer Road Suite 120
Santa Ana, CA 92705
Phone: 714-433-6000
Fax: 714-433-6423
Cottage Food Operation - Flow Chart
This flowchart provides a general idea if a CFO needs a registration or permit.
California Conference of Directors of Environmental Health
PO Box 2017
Shingle Springs, CA 95682
Phone: 530-676-0715
Cottage Food Labeling Requirements
Cottage food products are required to be labeled in accordance with specific state and federal labeling regulations. This list of labeling requirements is intended to assist cottage food operations (CFOs) in complying with basic labeling laws and regulations.
agency note
Consult County for local labeling requirements State of California
Department of Public Health
1615 Capitol Ave
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-650-6500
General State Food Labeling Requirements
Cottage food products are required to be labeled in accordance with specific state and federal labeling regulations. The following list of labeling requirements is intended to assist cottage food operations (CFOs) in complying with basic labeling laws and regulations
State of California
Department of Public Health
1615 Capitol Ave
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-558-1700
Cottage Food Operation - State Guidelines
All cottage food operators will have to meet specified requirements pursuant to the California Health and Safety Code related to preparing foods that are on the approved food list, completing a food processor training course within three months of registering, implementing sanitary operations, establishing state and federal compliant labels, and operating within established gross annual sales limits.
State of California
Department of Public Health
1615 Capitol Ave.
Sacramento, CA, 95814
Phone: 916-558-1700
Cottage Operator Training
AB 1616 requires that any person who prepares or packages cottage food complete a food processor course within three months of becoming registered or permitted to retain as proof that you completed the required training. You must present a copy of this card or certificate for each person involved in preparing cottage foods to your local county enforcement agency upon their request, to verify that the training requirement has been completed.
agency note:
Any person who prepares or packages cottage food must complete a food processor course within three months of becoming registered or permitted and every three years during operation. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has identified training that you may take that will satisfy the training requirement specified in California Health and Safety Code section 114365.2(d)
State of California
Department of Public Health
1500 Capitol Ave
P.O. Box 997435
Sacramento, CA 95899
Phone: 916-650-6500