S.B. 482 - Summary

• Increases the annual honey sales threshold for home-based producers from 50 gallons to 500 gallons without requiring a certified honey house or Department of Health permit.

• Allows home-based honey producers to sell directly to consumers or directly to retail stores that sell to consumers (previously limited to direct consumer sales only).

• Requires honey labels to include producer name and address, net weight/volume, production date, warning that "Honey should not be consumed by infants under one year of age," and statement that the product is home-produced and not inspected by the Department of Health.

• Mandates that honey producers attend a Department of Health-approved food safety workshop, pass a food safety certification exam, and maintain production and distribution records for at least two years.

• Exempts the State and counties from liability for claims related to home-produced honey except in cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct.