Angela Treadaway

A new law—the Cottage Food Law—which went into effect in June 2014, allows anyone to sell nonhazardous foods made in the home directly to consumers. Nonhazardous foods specified by the new law include cakes, cookies, dried herbs, jams and jellies. 

The St. Clair County Extension office will conduct a Cottage Law Food Safety Training Course on Tuesday, March 21 from 3-5 p.m. at the St. Clair County Extension Office, located on the lower level of the St. Clair County Courthouse in Pell City.

At Auburn University Dr. Jean Weese, a food safety specialist who heads the Alabama Cooperative Extension System’s food safety team, says that while these foods are not subject to inspection by the local public health department, the folks preparing these foods are required to attend a food safety course approved by the State Health Department.

This food safety course, which is required by the new Cottage Food Law, teaches basic food safety steps with the goal of ensuring that the food sold to friends and neighbors is as safe as possible.

The concepts taught in this class apply specifically to foods prepared in the home. Upon completion of this course and a short test you will receive a certificate that can be posted in your home.

This course will be tailored to help cottage food entrepreneurs comply with this act. The cost is $25. You must pre-register to attend. To register, visit www.aces.edu/foodsafety.

For more information, please contact Regional Extension Agent, Angela Treadaway, at the St. Clair County Extension Office at 205-338-9416 or email treadas@aces.edu.