HB31 Summary

• Amends Section 22-20-5.1 of the Code of Alabama 1975 to add roasted coffees to the list of foods eligible for cottage food production exemptions.

• Allows home-based producers of baked goods, jams, jellies, candies, dried herbs, herb mixes, and roasted coffees to operate without a food service permit from county health departments.

• Limits cottage food operations to producers with annual gross income of $20,000 or less who sell directly to consumers from their home.

• Requires the State Department of Public Health to promulgate rules mandating proper labeling of all eligible food products and completion of a food safety course by operators.

• Prohibits cottage food producers from selling any eligible products over the Internet and allows the department to issue stop sale or seizure orders for food suspected of causing foodborne illness.