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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
cottage food; freeze-dried; preparation
Purpose
Includes precut and processed freeze-dried fruits and vegetables under the list of cottage food products that are not subject to public health inspections.
Background
The Department of Health Services (DHS), by administrative rule, must prescribe reasonably necessary measures to ensure that all food or drink provided for human consumption is free from unwholesome, poisonous or other foreign substance and filth, insects or disease-causing organisms. The rules must include minimum standards for sanitary facilities and the production, processing, labeling, storing, handling, serving and transportation of these products. Cottage food products, including fruit jams and jellies, dry mixes made with ingredients from approved sources, honey, dry pasta and toasted nuts, that are prepared in a kitchen of a private home for commercial purposes are excluded from DHS rules if the cottage food product is not potentially hazardous or does not require time or temperature control for food safety. The definition of cottage food product excludes foods that require refrigeration, perishable baked goods, salsas, sauces, fermented and pickled products, meat, fish and shellfish products, beverages, acidified food products, nut butters or other reduced-oxygen packaged products.
Cottage food products must be packaged at home with an attached label that: 1) clearly states the food preparer's name and registration number; 2) lists all of the product's ingredients and production date; and 3) includes a prescribed disclaimer. If the product was made in a facility for individuals with developmental disabilities, the label must also disclose that fact. The person preparing the food or supervising the food preparation must complete a food handler training course from an accredited program and maintain active certification. The food preparer must register with an online registry established by DHS and display the preparer's certificate of registration when operating as a temporary food establishment (A.R.S. § 36-136).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Adds precut and processed freeze-dried fruits and vegetables to the list of cottage food products that are exempt from the rules governing the production, processing, labeling, storing, handling, serving and transportation of products provided for human consumption at the retail level.
2. Makes technical and conforming changes.
3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
RA 2/14/24 DP 4-1-0-1
3rd Read 2/26/24 47-9-3-0-1
Prepared by Senate Research
March 8, 2024
MM/KS/slp