The permitting and inspection language in the Homemade Food Operations Act (CA AB 626) was co-drafted with environmental health inspectors and continues to be refined with the help of the health inspectors. The goal is to regulate micro-enterprise home kitchen operations (MEHKO) with a similar level of requirements as other residential food facilities such as bed & breakfasts and child/eldercare facilities, which includes requirements such as:
- MEHKOs are subject to most of the same sanitation and facilities requirements as other Restricted Food Facilities
- MEHKOs are inspected annually and regulators are allowed to conduct follow-up inspections for food safety concerns or consumer complaints
- Home Kitchen operators are trained in safe food practices (food handler's certification) and are limited to small-scale, lower-risk cooking processes by being limited to preparing 30 or fewer meals per week and allowed to offer only same-day service
The food safety requirements, a limit on number of meals that can be sold, and inherent accountability of direct sales from cook to customer will help build basic trust back into our food system. While the goal of food safety is to reduce risk, it can never be entirely eliminated.