Expanding Colorado Cottage Foods Act
If enacted, HB1190 would amend the Colorado Revised Statutes to include provisions for homemade foods classified as potentially hazardous, which currently do not fall under the Cottage Foods Act. This change is significant as it would introduce new regulations around the sale of homemade products that could impact food safety standards, requiring producers to adhere to stricter guidelines compared to those applying to non-hazardous food items. This includes the potential need for inspection or certification before such foods can be sold, creating a balance between encouraging entrepreneurship and ensuring consumer safety.
House Bill 1190, also known as the 'Tamale Act,' proposes an expansion to the existing Colorado Cottage Foods Act. The primary goal of this bill is to allow for the sale and consumption of homemade foods that require refrigeration, thereby increasing the variety of foods that can be legally produced and sold by individuals from home kitchens. This change aims to support local food producers and small businesses by broadening their market opportunities, enabling them to sell more sophisticated products that may be appealing to consumers, such as tamales, which typically require refrigeration.
While many support the bill for its potential to empower small home-based food businesses and give consumers more diverse food options, there are concerns regarding the implications for public health and safety. Notably, some legislators and food safety advocates may argue that allowing the sale of refrigerated foods increases risks associated with proper food handling and storage. They are likely to raise questions about the adequacy of existing training and resources available to home producers to comply with these new safety requirements, leading to potential opposition or calls for amendments to ensure public safety is not compromised.