SB159 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rusty Glover

Republican

Co-Sponsor

Bill Hightower

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Cottage food production operations, baked goods, exempt from obtaining food service permit from health department, labeling of baked goods, other food items, food safety course required

Summary

SB159 creates a cottage food category that allows home-based production of certain non-hazardous foods to be sold directly to consumers without county health permits, with labeling and safety-course requirements.

What This Bill Does

It allows qualifying home-based producers to sell baked goods, jams/jellies, candies, or dried herb mixes directly to consumers without a county food service permit. Producers must earn $20,000 or less in annual gross income, and cannot sell these foods over the Internet. All eligible items must be labeled with the producer’s name and address and a statement that the food is not inspected, and the producer must maintain certification of having completed a department-approved food safety course. The State Department of Public Health may regulate only as outlined in the act, and can stop sale or seize products if illness is suspected. The department is also to create labeling rules for these foods.

Who It Affects

• Cottage food producers operating from their home who meet the $20,000 annual sales cap and sell directly to consumers; they would be exempt from needing a county food service permit and must label products and complete a food safety course.
• Consumers in Alabama who purchase baked goods, jams/jellies, candies, or dried herb mixes from cottage food operators; they will receive labeled products that are not inspected by health authorities.

Key Provisions

• Exempts certain home-based food producers from county health department food service permits if they meet criteria (baked goods, jams/jellies, dried herb mixes, or candies; $20,000 annual gross income; direct-to-consumer sales).
• Defines baked goods and sets that they exclude potentially hazardous foods as defined by department rules.
• Requires labeling of all qualifying foods with the producer’s name and address and a statement that the food is not inspected; requires the operator to certify attendance at a department-approved food safety course.
• Prohibits selling these foods over the Internet.
• Allows the Department of Public Health to issue stop sale, seize, or hold orders if a foodborne illness is suspected.
• Requires the Department to promulgate labeling rules for cottage foods.
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage/approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Health