Colorado cottage food law

The rules at a glance

Colorado Cottage Foods Act

• Unattended honesty stand?

  Not addressed

  The law requires direct sales to an informed customer and doesn't mention self-serve stands.

• Sign up with the state?

  No

  No cottage food license. A state producer registry is voluntary.

  Source

  • The department or a county, district, or regional health agency may create a voluntary electronic registry of producersColorado Revised Statutes 25-4-1614: Colorado Cottage Foods Act (PDF)
  • This product was produced in a home kitchen that is not subject to state licensure or inspectionColorado Department of Public Health and Environment: Cottage Foods Act

• Food safety class?

  Yes

  A food safety course before you sell.

  Source

  • The Colorado Cottage Foods Act requires producers to complete a food safety training course prior to starting a cottage foods businessColorado Department of Public Health and Environment: Cottage Foods Act

• Kitchen inspection?

  Sometimes

  No routine checks. Your food can be inspected after a complaint.

  Source

  • subject to food sampling and inspection by the department or a county, district, or regional health agency pursuant to section 25-5-406 if it is determined that the food product is misbranded pursuant to subsection (3) of this section or if a consumer complaint has been receivedColorado Revised Statutes 25-4-1614: Colorado Cottage Foods Act (PDF)

• Yearly sales limit

  Per product: $10,000

  Net revenue per eligible product, not total sales.

  Source

  • If I produce muffins, does the Act allow me to earn up to $10,000 for each type (blueberry, banana, chocolate chip)?Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment: Cottage Foods Act
  • This section applies only to producers who earn net revenues of ten thousand dollars or less per calendar year from the sale of each eligible food productColorado Revised Statutes 25-4-1614: Colorado Cottage Foods Act (PDF)

• Foods that need a fridge?

  No

  Only shelf-stable foods that do not need refrigeration.

  Source

  • Foods that are non-potentially hazardous, or in other words, do not require refrigeration for safetyColorado Department of Public Health and Environment: Cottage Foods Act

• Take orders online?

  Yes

  Online sales are allowed, but delivery must stay direct and in Colorado.

  Source

  • internet sales are allowedColorado Department of Public Health and Environment: Cottage Foods Act
  • The mechanism of direct product delivery can be determined between the producer and the informed end consumer as long as it does not involve interstate commerceColorado Department of Public Health and Environment: Cottage Foods Act

• Ship or mail orders?

  No

  No mail order. Food must be delivered directly, in Colorado.

  Source

  • delivered directly from a producer to an informed end consumerColorado Revised Statutes 25-4-1614: Colorado Cottage Foods Act (PDF)
  • Be sold only in ColoradoColorado Revised Statutes 25-4-1614: Colorado Cottage Foods Act (PDF)
  • Not involve interstate commerceColorado Revised Statutes 25-4-1614: Colorado Cottage Foods Act (PDF)

• Sell through shops?

  No

  No restaurants, grocery stores or resale.

  Source

  • Product(s) cannot be sold to restaurants or grocery storesColorado Department of Public Health and Environment: Cottage Foods Act
  • A person who purchases a product made by a producer shall not resell the productColorado Revised Statutes 25-4-1614: Colorado Cottage Foods Act (PDF)

What goes on the label