FAQs!

What is cottage food? What is a cottage food operation (CFO)?

Cottage food is food that is made in your home for direct sale to consumers. A cottage food operation is an operation that you run from your home that makes cottage food (i.e., food that is made at home for direct sale to consumers). Cottage food may only be produced in your home kitchen, and may only be packaged, stored, or handled in permitted portion of your home that includes your kitchen.

Are there limitations to the type of food that can be made/sold in a cottage food operation?

Yes, there are limitations to what can be made in the CFO. For safety purposes, Public Act 180141 sets limits to what you may sell in the State of Connecticut. Cottage food must be held to the highest safety standards, and the production and sales practices must follow laws and regulations outlined by the State of Connecticut and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Do you need a license to have a CFO?

Yes, there is a collage food operator license that you need to apply for and obtain prior to being able to sell any food as a part of a CFO. A food safety training program that includes training in food processing and packaging is required in addition to an application fee in order to obtain this license.

How is the food sold in a CFO? How is the food delivered?

Any food made in a CFO must be sold and delivered from the producer/cottage food operator to the customer in a person-to-person transaction (must be done in person). Products may not be delivered by mail or by other third party delivery services such as UPS or FedEx, or by mobile food ordering companies

The above information was obtained from the following website: https://portal.ct.gov/cottagefood

FOOD/DESSERTS  MADE IN A COTTAGE FOOD OPERATION NOT SUBJECT TO ROUTINE GOVERNMENT FOOD SAFETY INSPECTIONS.