AboutCarol Schlitt Expertise I can answer questions on home food safety, sanitation, home food preservation and commercial food safety (HACCP).
Experience I am an Extension educator, nutrition, wellness and food safety. I am a certified HACCP manager and a food safety instructor for the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Organizations International Association for Food Protection, American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (Certified CFCS), National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, Society for Nutrition Education.
Education/Credentials BS - University of Illinois
MS - Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville
Question I enjoy making homemade jams and jellies and would like to make them out of my home to sell. Is it legal to do this? Do I have to contact the board of health? Do I need permission from any other authority? I live in NJ if that helps you.
Answer Hi Niki,
Yes, it is legal to sell homemade jams and jellies -- IF you follow the requirements for small food processing in your state.
With that said, I suggest you start with your local health department and ask for the environmental health services division. That's the division that inspects restaurants, grocery stores, etc. You need to find out from them the local requirements for starting a food business at home. In Illinois, you must have a separate kitchen from your family kitchen and this kitchen must have a 3 compartment sink, separate hand sink, and a back-flow devise on your plumbing (to keep sewer water from backing up in you kitchen). New Jersey may have different requirements.
Next, you MUST follow approved canning methods for jams and jellies. This includes processing the jars in a hot water bath, using regulation jars and lids, etc. You must also list the ingredients on the label in descending order by weight, provide an address or phone number for clients to contact you. You do not have to have a nutrition facts label if you sell less than $50,000 per year.
A good resource to read about starting your own food business is the book: "From Kitchen to Market: Selling Your Gourmet Food Specialty," by Kenneth Hall. Also, Rutgers offers a food entreprenerial center to help New Jersey residents start food businesses. Check out their website for more information: http://www.foodinnovation.rutgers.edu/
Good luck Niki. If I can be of further assistance, please let me know.
Carol C. Schlitt
Extension Educator, Nutrition and Wellness
University of Illinois Extension
