Hi everyone, a question for all of you wonderful cakers! Does anyone know much about the Missouri Cottage Law? I see that MO has one but can't find much about what is included in it. I am in the beginning stages of starting a business and would like to find out if this law will benefit me. I have talked to the local HD and they said I'm required to have the separate kitchen, separate entrance, food licenses, etc. How does this differ from what the cottage law says? Thanks!!

I'm not sure MO even has a blanket cottage food law for the entire state, it looks like they leave it up to individual county health depts, so you'll probably have to follow what your local HD says.

http://health.mo.gov/safety/foodsafety/faq.php

Thanks for the info. Maybe that's why I can't find much info on it! I'm in touch with the county I live in so I'll just go from there

Jason you are correct Missouri doesn't have a blanket cottage law. The county that you live in will determine what rules you have to abide by. I will say this that Missouri is really cracking down on people that bake from home without going through the proper steps to get licensed. I've heard this from MO Dept of Revenue, Secretary of State office, as well as Supply & Wholesale Stores. Since I live close to the state line I'll be doing business in both MO & KS I had a business owner approach me while getting my license to bake for his stores...stated the young he had wasn't legal & got shut down. So whatever you were told over the phone follow that. I decided to go with a commercial kitchen in MO since there was no way for me to have an extra kitchen entrance and everything else required for home business

The public hearing before the committee for HB1508 is 3/28/2012 in Jefferson City. The bill will amend Missouri's existing food statute to add Cottage Food language. The bill must pass commitee to move forward. Both proponents and opponents will be heard. If you are in or near Jefferson City and can be at the hearing your support is critical....Pass the word. Sorry for the short notice. I just found out about the hearing today.

http://www.house.mo.gov/billsummary.aspx?bill=HB1508

They must not be giving much press to this. My DH is there all the time and usually tells me about what is going on. Never heard about it! As far as MCFL, from the info that I rec. from the local HD and the State (we had a meeting with both to clear things up a bit!) the state sets minimal guidelines that everyone has to follow. Then, it trickles down to the local HD and THEN the city. I live in the county. I can bake from my home under certain guidelines that the state set forward. If I wanted to do this in Jefferson City, I would have to have a separate kitchen. Every time I do something "new" I call HD. I'm sure they are tired of me asking and re-asking the same things. However, I don't want them coming back on me saying that I didn't do it correctly. I depend on what they tell me is correct. They did say however, that this ruling has just been a recent change in the last few years.

Does anyone know the status of this law? I've been contacting various state reps in MO, and I cannot seem to get answer.

According to the link above, HB1508 has not made it out of the Missouri House, so chances are it will not be passed this year.

I gave up baking for a while in order to go back to school. I talked to one of the State Representatives that sponsored the bill about 3 months ago.. He informed me that it had little to no opposition in the House, first, second and public hearing. It has been recommended to pass by the executive committee. I will follow up and post an update by the end of the week.

Has there been any movement on the bill? I can't seem to find any information on where it stands online.

House bill 617, it was read for the 2nd time Feb 15, 2013. We have started a FB group: https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/152208218265958/?bookmark_t=group to get support for the cottage food law in Missouri. Please join us, and contact your representive to let them know you support it!

Does anyone know what counties in Missouri allow baking from home?  Thanks!

AI live in Gasconade Co. and the Health Dept.in Hermann said I can bake from my home kitchen with the usual caveats re. custards and cream fillings, etc. Right now we are still awaiting the senate signing the cottage law that has cleared the House. People are pretty optimistic.

AI'm in Gasconade as well!!

I'm not really sure how to work Facebook, but there is a group devoted to the Cottage Food Law resolution. I copied the address: https://www.facebook.com/groups/152208218265958/

I hope this works for you guys. I haven't been as active as, perhaps I should be, since in Gasconade Co. I'm permitted to bake at home. As of now, in Missouri, it goes on an county by county basis. I hope I'm not laboring under false information, for I had quite a lengthy discussion with a lady at the Health Dept. last year. At any rate, I hope it soon gets all settled to eliminate any question.

Thanks!

AThanks! :) do you know if Jefferson or Franklin counties allow it? Or st. Louis? Thanks!

AI only know about Gasconade. Do what I did and call your health dept. They'll be able to tell you definitely.