One of the most common questions we receive is: “Do I need a commercial kitchen to sell my baked goods?” Thanks to the California Cottage Food Act (AB 1616), the answer for many small-scale producers is “No.” This legislation allows individuals to prepare certain non-hazardous foods in their private home kitchens and sell them to the public.

The Helping Hand series breaks down the “Class A” and “Class B” permits required by San Bernardino County. We provide the checklists for labeling, ingredients, and the specific list of approved foods—ranging from dried fruit to high-acid vinegars. Understanding these regulations is the first step in moving your business from “under-the-table” to a legitimate, scalable enterprise.