The bill introduces a new category called "microenterprise home kitchen operation," allowing individuals to register with the Department of Agriculture to sell homemade food items. It defines the scope of permissible homemade foods, excluding certain products like low-acid canned foods and alcoholic beverages, and establishes labeling requirements that include the business name, product name, and a statement indicating the product is home produced. The legislation also clarifies that these operations are not classified as food processing establishments and mandates the Director of Agriculture to adopt rules for food sampling to ensure safety and compliance.

Additionally, the bill outlines a registration process with a $25 fee, inspections of home kitchens, and an annual inspection fee not exceeding $50. It sets a gross receipts cap of $150,000 for sales of potentially hazardous food items and allows local governments to enforce zoning laws. The bill also repeals several outdated sections of the Revised Code to streamline regulations and enhance opportunities for small-scale food producers, allowing microenterprise home kitchen operations to sell alongside cottage food production at farm product auctions and markets.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 3715.01, 3715.021, 3715.022, 3715.023, 3717.22
As Reported By House Committee: 3715.01, 3715.021, 3715.022, 3715.023, 3717.22
As Passed By House: 3715.01, 3715.021, 3715.022, 3715.023, 3717.22