Michigan cottage food law: food safety training now online

This interactive online training provides information on the cottage food law and food safety training related to making and selling cottage foods.

A new Michigan cottage food law food safety training is now available online. This online training, which is presented in the form of a webinar, was developed by the Michigan State University (MSU) Extension health and nutrition food safety team. The interactive online training provides food safety training to Michigan residents who want to operate their own cottage food business. It was designed to educate Michigan residents about the cottage food law and also provide food safety training so that safe food products are sold to customers.

Cottage foods are specific types of foods that are made in home kitchens. Not all foods can be made at home and sold to the public. The law is quite specific about the kinds of foods that can be sold under cottage food law. Homemade foods made and sold under the cottage food law are low-risk for causing food-borne illnesses.

According to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) this new law is a great opportunity for many who have been thinking about starting a food business, but have been hesitant to spend the money needed to establish, or rent, a commercial kitchen. However, even without the state licensing and inspection requirements those preparing cottage foods are still responsible for providing safe products.

If you are one of those individuals with an entrepreneurial spirit and are considering selling some cottage foods enroll in the Michigan Cottage Food Law Online Training.

After viewing the webinar you will take a short quiz and then receive a certificate that you can display when selling your cottage foods at farmers markets, festivals and other sales locations. The certificate is not required to sell cottage foods but it is evidence that you have participated in food safety training related to cottage foods.

Support for developing, marketing and implementing this MSU Extension webinar statewide was made possible through a grant from the MDARD.

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