Cottage Food Operation

The Cottage Food Operations law became effective January 1, 2013. A Cottage Food operation or CFO is an enterprise at a private home where low-risk food products are prepared or packaged for public consumption.

For more information about organizing and running a cottage food operation, please read our Questions and Answers (PDF) handout and the California Department of Public Health’s segment on Cottage Food Operations.

GETTING STARTED

• Do You Qualify as a Cottage Food Operation? (PDF)
• CFO Requirements for Getting Started (PDF)
• CFO Registration and Permit Application (PDF)
• CFO Self-Certification Checklist (PDF)
• CDPH Approved Cottage Food List (PDF)
• CFO Product Labeling Guide (PDF)
• Cottage Food Operator Training (PDF)
• CFO Jams and Jellies Part 150 (PDF)
• CFO Good Agriculture Practices Check List (PDF)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION & RESOURCES

• Calif. Dept. of Public Health
• CalCode
• CFO Application