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Home-Based Food Processing Rule Goes Into Effect Jan. 1
Post Date: January 2, 2010
The NM Environment Department issued this release declaring that the home processing rules advocated for by Farm to Table and the NM Farmers’ Marketing Association are now in effect. Application forms are available at http://www.nmenv.state.nm.us/fod/Food_Program/HomeBasedProcessing.htm. If you need assistance with filling forms out or have questions, feel free to contact Ilana Blankman at ilana.blankman@gmail.com or 505-473-1004 x 12.
December 30, 2009 Contact: Marissa Stone Bardino, NMED Communications Director
For Immediate Release (505) 827-0314 or (505) 231-0475
Home-Based Food Processing Rule Goes Into Effect Jan. 1
Those Offering Home-Based Foods Must Have State Permit to Sell Goods
(Santa Fe, N.M.) A rule change will go into effect Jan. 1 that requires those who sell home-based food products to have a permit issued by the New Mexico Environment Department.
That permit will allow the sale of non-potentially hazardous foods that can be prepared in home-based food processing operations within state jurisdiction. Those foods include yeast and quick breads, cookies, cakes, tortillas, high sugar pies and pastries, high-sugar jam and jellies, dry mixes (made from commercial ingredients), candy and fudge. Those foods do not support the rapid and progressive growth of infectious and toxicogenic microorganisms, including Clostridium botulinium responsible for foodborne disease.
- The following other changes will go into effect under the rule change, 7.6.2 NMAC-Food Service and Food Processing Regulations:
- Home-based processed foods can only be sold at farmers markets, roadside stands, fairs, and fiestas located within NMED’s jurisdiction.
- Home-based foods can not be sold to or made available to retail stores for resale or sold through the Internet.
- If applicable, those foods must be packaged in food grade packaging and labeled. The label must include the statement “home-based food product.”
- Those selling home-based foods must attend or have attended within the last 5 years an NMED approved food safety training course.
- The home-based food processing operation must have an approved water and waste water disposal and treatment system.
- The residential areas designated as part of the home-based food processing operation are subject to inspection by NMED.
- The rule applies only to areas under NMED’s jurisdiction.
The food permit costs $100 a year. To obtain a permit to operate, a seller can submit an application to a local NMED field office. The application package is available at http://www.nmenv.state.nm.us/fod/Food_Program/HomeBasedProcessing.htm or at your local NMED field office.
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