CO 'Cottage food' bill gets first approval

January 26, 2012 -- 4:02 AM
Thu, 2012-01-26 04:02

It was a tasty day at the Colorado Capitol as lawmakers gave initial approval to a bill to expand food sales without requiring commercial kitchens.

Home cooks came to the Legislature with baked goodies to promote the bill Thursday. A House committee gave initial approval unanimously.

Republican Rep. Laura Bradford is sponsoring a so-called "cottage food" bill. It would allow commercial sales of food from a home kitchen. Currently, food sold commercially must come from a commercial kitchen.

Home cooks created a special cookie with the Colorado flag depicted over a cupcake to promote the idea. It would apply only to "non-potentially hazardous" foods.

A similar bill failed last year amid concerns that lack of oversight could pose health risks.

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Online:

House Bill 1027: http://goo.gl/kwLmR

Cottage Food cookie: http://goo.gl/OqdMu