05-20-2011, 05:08 PM
Kelena, prepared foods offered for sale (or trade, which is technically a sale) must be processed in a certified kitchen, licensed and inspected by the county health department. The only exceptions that I am aware of pertain to baked goods (in certain situations only) and small producer honey, which still must have a permit to be legal and must adhere to labeling requirements. There very well might be other exemptions that I am not aware of. Even roasting and packaging coffee requires a health inspection and the following of guidelines, though a fully certified kitchen is not required.
Farmers selling fresh produce suddenly fall under health department guidelines as soon as they alter their foods, such as dehydrating them or separating the coconut water. Even the simple act of cutting a large cabbage in half and selling the halves separately triggers regulations.
Our food laws are well intentioned and were written generally to address problems that occurred. But they stifle local food trade. And more importantly in my opinion is that they take away a person's right to choose. If I wish to eat raw milk or raw milk products, legally I have to own my own cow. I cannot share cow ownership with a neighbor. A cow produces a lot of milk, far more than I can use. So sharing a cow makes sense. But it is illegal. The Feds have been clamping down on people who have been cow sharing, especially where 5-6 people go together to share a cow and only one person actually is caring for it and physically milking it. Seems to me to be a waste of taxpayers money to send federal regulators out to conduct a sting operation on raw cows milk, but that's what our food laws are creating.
Keep in mind, just because it is illegal to do something, doesn't mean that it isn't being done and ignored by the authorities. Lots of little illegal acts take place routinely at local farmers market. Officials ignore most unless there is a complaint. Then they open up the regulation books and use it to shut venders down. I have witnessed many a vendor being told that they could not sell their product. Eggs, baked goods, vegetables, fruits, jellies and jams, fish, meats, prepared foods. Most vendors shut for the day but open up the next market just hoping the health department doesn't check again for awhile.
...Su Ba
Farmers selling fresh produce suddenly fall under health department guidelines as soon as they alter their foods, such as dehydrating them or separating the coconut water. Even the simple act of cutting a large cabbage in half and selling the halves separately triggers regulations.
Our food laws are well intentioned and were written generally to address problems that occurred. But they stifle local food trade. And more importantly in my opinion is that they take away a person's right to choose. If I wish to eat raw milk or raw milk products, legally I have to own my own cow. I cannot share cow ownership with a neighbor. A cow produces a lot of milk, far more than I can use. So sharing a cow makes sense. But it is illegal. The Feds have been clamping down on people who have been cow sharing, especially where 5-6 people go together to share a cow and only one person actually is caring for it and physically milking it. Seems to me to be a waste of taxpayers money to send federal regulators out to conduct a sting operation on raw cows milk, but that's what our food laws are creating.
Keep in mind, just because it is illegal to do something, doesn't mean that it isn't being done and ignored by the authorities. Lots of little illegal acts take place routinely at local farmers market. Officials ignore most unless there is a complaint. Then they open up the regulation books and use it to shut venders down. I have witnessed many a vendor being told that they could not sell their product. Eggs, baked goods, vegetables, fruits, jellies and jams, fish, meats, prepared foods. Most vendors shut for the day but open up the next market just hoping the health department doesn't check again for awhile.
...Su Ba