Public Health - Cottage Food Businesses and Home Bakeries

SB 838 updates Maryland's regulations for cottage food businesses and home bakeries. It changes the definition of "cottage food product" to include nonpotentially hazardous foods (replacing "nonhazardous") and creates a new "home bakery" category. Home bakeries with annual revenue under $50,000 are exempt from Maryland Department of Health licensing, while still requiring specific labeling and sales rules (like direct sales at markets or to stores). This bill directly affects small home-based bakers who sell baked goods like bread, cakes, and pastries without needing full food safety licensing.