how to complete the mn cottage food safety course

by Mr. Arden Senger 6 min read

Minnesota cottage food laws make it easy to get started. Take a quick online course for food safety and then register with the Minnesota Agriculture Department. Minnesota allows many of the foods listed as non-potentially hazardous however they limit how much you can make annually.

Full Answer

How often do you need cottage food training in Minnesota?

Remember, training is required every three years. Our newsletter will keep you informed of workshops and other cottage food news. Arrow pointing to the right. Minnesota Farmers' Market Association. Cottage Food law resources Minnesota Department of Agriculture. How to register as a cottage food producer

How do I get a cottage food license in Minnesota?

If you do not have access to a computer, you may request a paper application, training, and exam by emailing [email protected] or calling 651-201-6062. Leave a detailed message, including your first and last name and mailing address. Step 4: MDA will send you a registration card in the mail with a unique registration number.

What is Minnesota’s Cottage Food Law?

The Cottage Food Law allows for individuals to make and sell certain non-potentially hazardous food and canned goods in Minnesota without a license.

What do you learn in Cottage Food Law?

This advanced course focuses on food safety practices for all processes covered under the cottage food law including drying, baking, confections, jams and jellies, acid and acidified fruit and vegetables and fermentation. You will learn how to produce, package, label, store and transport a safe food product.

How do I get a cottage food license in MN?

Basic Registration Process:Step 1: Determine if you are eligible to register for this license exemption. ... Step 2: If you are eligible, complete the training and exam for Cottage Food Producer Registration. ... Step 3: Complete the online cottage food producer registration and exam.More items...

Do I need a license to sell homemade food in Minnesota?

Who Needs to Register? All individuals who want to make and sell foods described in the Cottage Food Law need to register with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) before selling food.

Can I sell homemade food Minnesota?

Fortunately, Minnesota passed new cottage food regulations in 2021 as a part of a larger agriculture bill, making it easier than ever before to sell homemade food in the state. The new rules raised the revenue cap for homemade food producers and allow them to operate as limited liability companies.

How do you make a cottage food label?

Labels on cottage food products must contain the following information: (1) The common or descriptive name of the CFO food product located on the primary (principal) display panel. (2) The name, city, and zip code of the CFO operation which produced the cottage food product.

How much does it cost to get a food license in Minnesota?

Annual Fees and Plan Review FeesEstablishment fee descriptionPlan review fee (new)License feeCategory 1$400$110Category 2$450$245Category 3$500$385Food Cart$250$8510 more rows

Can I make food at home and sell it?

Cottage food laws vary among the states, and those interested in selling food from home should consult their local laws before launching their businesses. States also require home-based food business owners to have food-handlers permits, which typically requires a brief training course.

Is Buttercream a cottage food?

Buttercream frosting, buttercream icing, buttercream fondant, and gum paste that do not contain eggs, cream, or cream cheese. Cakes or cupcakes, which are baked, and do NOT contain fillings of cream, custard, or meat or anything that requires refrigeration. You can use icing/frosting as described in the line above.

Can I sell cookies from home?

In short, yes you can. However, if you decide to do this as a business, you will need to meet certain requirements as ultimately the public – your customers – need to be kept safe from any potential harm.

Can you sell homemade vanilla extract in MN?

Hi I contacted the Minnesota Ag. department and I was informed over the phone that it is acceptable to sell Vanilla Extract in Minnesota AS LONG AS it meets the federal requirements for true vanilla extract as listed above. Selling 'Vanilla flavored booze' and calling it vanilla extract is the illegal part.

Can food labels be handwritten?

Handwritten food labels Food labels can be handwritten as long as they meet the legal font size requirements. They should be easily visible and clearly legible. Allergens can be emphasised using bold type, capital letters, contrasting colours or through underlining.

How do you label homemade food products?

What You Need to Include on Your LabelProduct Name.Statement the product was made in an uninspected kitchen.Name of the Business.Business Address.County Name.List of Ingredients.Net Amount.Allergens.More items...•

How do I label my home baked goods?

How to Make Labels for Baked GoodsProduct name.“Made in a home kitchen” (12-point font for some states)Business name and address (the physical address where you make the product)Permit and county number.Ingredients.Allergens such as milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, and soy.

When does a cottage food license expire?

Your registration expires on December 31 of the year it was issued. If you want to continue to sell food under the Cottage Food Law, you will need to re-register for each year that you are selling food.

What is the MDA for cottage food?

The MDA investigates complaints to ensure people selling cottage food are complying with the law, including all the topics covered in this guidance document: registration, training, sales amounts, sales locations, food types, and labeling and placarding. Actions depend on the severity of the violation and may include inspection, written notice, registration revocation, penalties, or prosecution.

What is food sales?

Food sales are based on the anticipated amount of cottage food sales during the calendar year for which you are registering. This is the amount of gross annual receipts, not just profits, meaning the total amount for all sales as measured by the sales price.

What is the MDA in Minnesota?

Under Minnesota law, the MDA has the authority to enter at reasonable times any establishment where food is manufactured, processed, packed or held. Inspection and investigation activities would be limited to areas of the location where food is manufactured, processed, packed or held. 38.

What can a cottage food producer sell?

A registered cottage food producer can sell the food they make from: (1) their home, (2) a farmers market (EXT)#N#(link is external)#N#, and (3) a community event. Examples of community events include public gatherings sponsored or hosted by a town, county, city, or municipality (for example, a county fair); or by a religious, charitable, or educational organization where the food is sold (for example, a school, fire, police, or parent/teacher association). A community event must be open to the public and not intended for profit.

How much is Tier 1 gross receipts for 2022?

This amount will be adjusted by January 1, 2022, based on the consumer price index. This means the Tier I gross receipts will change to approximately $7,200 for 2022. Individual registrants may organize their cottage food business as a business entity recognized by state law. More information will be coming.

How much does a food sales training cost?

For annual food sales up to $5,000, you must complete a free online course and exam.

How often do you have to register for cottage food in Minnesota?

Take an approved food safety course once every three years while actively selling cottage food.

What is the pH of cottage food?

Prepare and sell only NON-potentially hazardous food (such as baked goods, certain jams and jellies) and/or home canned pickles, vegetables, or fruits with a pH of 4.6 or lower.

What is the cap on Tier 2 gross receipts?

A higher cap on Tier II annual gross receipts of $78,000. An increased cap on Tier I annual gross receipts of $5,000. This amount will be adjusted by January 1, 2022, based on the consumer price index. This means the Tier I gross receipts will change to approximately $7,200 for 2022.

Can a company be a cottage food producer?

Businesses such as firms, partnerships, corporations, societies, associations, and companies may not be registered as a cottage food producer. The passage of the Cottage Food Law in Minnesota changed sections of legislation under MS 28A.15 previously known as the 'non-potentially hazardous foods section' and 'the pickle bill'.

Description

Do you make and sell baked goods, home-canned pickles, salsa, jam and jellies? Are you a cottage food producer? If yes, this webinar is for you. By attending this live session, you will meet the training requirement to register as a Minnesota cottage food producer with annual sales over $5000 per year.

If you experience difficulties logging in

Contact the University of Minnesota IT Help Line at 612-301-4357 or [email protected]. Please mention you are using a "guest account."

EXT XFS.0010 - ONLINE COURSE

Once registered, you will have access to the online course for 3 months during which time you may log in and out as needed. This course will take approximately 4 hours to complete.

What is the Minnesota cottage food law?

Cottage food producers must do the following: Register with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) before selling exempt food regardless of the amount of food sold.

How to register a cottage food producer?

Register online at Online Licensing and Payment System. To register through the mail, download and complete the Cottage Food Producer Registration form (PDF) or you can request a paper copy of the form by contacting our main office at 651-201-6027. Step four: Submit the registration form with the fee, if required.

What is the pH of cottage food?

Prepare and sell only NON-potentially hazardous food (such as baked goods, certain jams and jellies) and/or home canned pickles, vegetables, or fruits with a pH of 4.6 or lower.

Can a company be a cottage food producer?

Businesses such as firms, partnerships, corporations, societies, associations, and companies may not be registered as a cottage food producer. The passage of the Cottage Food Law in Minnesota changed sections of legislation under Minn. Stat. § 28A.15 previously known as the 'non-potentially hazardous foods section' and 'the pickle bill'.

How to determine if food is non-potentially hazardous?

Most states determine if a food is non-potentially hazardous by the acidity level found in the food. The higher the acidity, the more stable at a range of temps, that food product is.

Why do canned goods need to be tested?

Some canned goods may be required to be tested to determine the acidity levels so that you can produce and sell to the public. (see acidity and testing section below)

image