BOISE, Idaho (AP) -- Idaho lawmakers have approved a new rule aimed at bringing more consistency to state regulations regarding cottage foods, which are produced in home kitchens and sold directly to consumers.
The Capital Press reported legislators voted Friday to adopt the rule that establishes what cottage foods are and exempts them from the state's food establishment regulations.
The state's seven health districts have allowed cottage food, including baked goods and fruit jams, to be sold without regulation for decades.
The new rule comes as cottage food producers have been pushing for state recognition of the industry, which wasn't previously addressed in state regulations.
The new rule requires producers to submit an application and label their products to show they were prepared in a home kitchen not subject to state inspection.
