New Jersey operates a statewide Home Baker Permit program through the Department of Health that uniformly governs cottage food sales, preempting differing local food licensing schemes for permitted home bakers.
After years as the only state without cottage food sales, New Jersey adopted a statewide Home Baker Permit (N.J.A.C. 8:24-12) administered by the Department of Health. Permitted home bakers may sell non-potentially-hazardous baked goods directly to consumers up to $50,000 in annual gross sales. State rules set uniform labeling, kitchen, and food-safety standards. Municipalities cannot impose additional retail food licensing on permitted home bakers, though local zoning still governs whether a home occupation is allowed.
Selling baked goods without the state Home Baker Permit, or selling prohibited items like cream-filled pastries, can result in cease-and-desist orders and fines from the Department of Health.
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See how Somerville's cottage food operations rules stack up against other locations.
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