CFO A and CFO B authorize home-based food producers to prepare and sell approved cottage food products with specific sales allowances. CFO A permits sales directly to consumers only, including from the home, community events, farmers markets (additional permit required) or other face-to-face transactions permitted by state law. CFO B expands sales opportunities by allowing both direct-to-consumer sales and indirect sales through approved retail establishments, such as restaurants, markets, and other third-party vendors. Gross annual sales limits are dependent on state regulations.
MHKO and CFO Operations
Home-Based Kitchen Food Safety
Operaciones de Cocinas Caseras de Microempresa
Practicas de Seguridad de Comida en Cocinas de Casa
To start a CFO submit the following:
- Application/registration to operate a food facility (Application/Registration to Operate a Food Facility)
- CFO Permitting/Registration Form (Registration/Permitting form)
- Identification such as a driver license (if it is different from the home address, please submit current utility bill)
- California Department of Public Health (CDPH) ANSI Accredited food processor course (Riverside County Food Handler Card)
- Product Labels - at least one label for each food category/menu item sold or additional labels may be requested by the inspector (labeling requirements)
Fee payment: CFO A - collected after inspector reviewed completed application
CFO B - collected at the end of the home inspection
**This permit must be renewed annually with local Riverside County Environmental Health office - above documents will be required to be updated and resubmitted. Permit will not be issued until all renewal docs are submitted, reviewed, and approved.
CFOs on a Well
CFOs that use water from a private well need to have the water tested by a State Certified Laboratory on a regular basis.
Cottage food operators must ensure that the products they are selling:
- Are listed on the Cottage Food Operations (Approved Food List) as maintained by the California Department of Public Health. (complete list of approved Cottage Food Operation foods)
- Meet the labeling requirements for all products beyond those reviewed by the Department of Environmental Health.
- Meet specified requirements pursuant to the California Health & Safety Code related to preparing foods that are on the approved food list.
Application Review Time
- Once a completed CFO application packet is received, it may require up to 20 business days for Environmental Health review.
CFO Inspection Requirement
- CFO A: No initial or routine inspections required.
- CFO B: Home inspection required after application review. (How to Prepare for your Home Kitchen Inspection)