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NH subcommittee studies bill to let home cooks sell some refrigerated 'artisan' foods
Summary
The House Environment and Agriculture subcommittee reviewed bill 1685, which would create an "artisan" category allowing some time/temperature‑controlled foods from home kitchens under new labeling and training rules; DHHS cautioned on refrigeration and oversight while producers and UNH Extension urged clearer labels, training and pragmatic equipment rules.
At a House Environment and Agriculture subcommittee interim study, members and stakeholders discussed bill 1685, a proposal to expand what "homestead" food producers in New Hampshire may sell by creating an "artisan" category that could include some time/temperature‑controlled (TCS) foods with new labeling and training requirements.
Colleen Smith of the Department of Health and Human Services outlined current law, citing RSA 143‑A:12: "a Homestead food operation is a person who produces homestead food products, excluding potentially hazardous food," meaning producers are limited to making non‑TCS and low‑acid products in the home kitchen of their primary residence. Smith said the department currently licenses 149 homestead operations and charges a $150 annual food service license for those who require it. "We don't have the same plumbing requirements for an indirect wasteline for sinks," she said, explaining why the law draws a line between home kitchens and…
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