Expert: Carol Schlitt - 9/27/2007

Question
I live in Colorado and am interested in making baked goods and selling them to local markets.  I was wondering what kind of rules and regulations govern cooking in my own kitchen and selling to the public.  I'm having a hard time finding information directly related to this issue. Thank you for any information you can give.

Answer
Hi Karen,

First -- you need to contact your local health department (Environmental Health Division) and see what kind of rules you must follow as they will be the ones to inspect you.  I live in Illinois and here you must have a separate kitchen from your family kitchen, a 3-compartment sink, separate hand sink, back-flow devise on your drains (to prevent sewage from backing up in your kitchen) and cleanable surfaces. You may find it easier to rent an already inspected kitchen than to make a separate kitchen in your home. Many cities rent out kitchen space for small entrepreneurs.

You will need to follow the Colorado Food Code which can be found at: http://www.co.boulder.co.us/health/environ/foodsafety/PDF/RetailFoodRegs.pdf (See page 57 for explanation of separate kitchen)

Additional resources for you to read:

http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/HGIC3861.htm
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/NCR259.pdf

Good luck with your home-based bakery.

Carol