Question

Topic: Other

Selling Homemade Herb Blends And Spice Rubs

Posted by Anonymous on 3/5/2010 at 9:00 AM ET 125 Points
I create herb blends and spice rubs which I want to sell locally in farmers markets and at various outdoor events in Florida. Are there any state government regulations or guidelines that have to be followed? Will there be any local health regulations to follow or any state licensing guidelines? Can I prepare, package and label them myself at home and sell them or do I have to utilize a certified kitchen? Any ideas, advice or thoughts would be greatly appreciated
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RESPONSES

  • Posted on 3/5/2010 at 9:04 AM Member
    I would presume there are different regulations in each state. In Iowa you could check with the County Extension office to determine what you would need to sell at farmer's markets, etc. I know, from a friend, that she was fine selling her honey at farmer's markets. However, when she expanded to sell through retail outlets she had to have a separate certified commercial-style kitchen. The Farmer's Market may have its own regulations as well. If you don't have Extension offices, I'd check with the Dept. of Agriculture.

    Good Luck!
    CVN
  • Posted by michael on 3/5/2010 at 9:06 AM Member
    If you use the search capabilities on on this site for "farmers market" you'll find plenty of advice.

    The short answer is that each county determines the rules/regs for farmers market.

    Go to a market and ask one of the vendors. Hang around long enough and you'll see someone with a clipboard...looking at food vendors....and that will be the health inspector. Ask him/her.

    Michael
  • Posted by steven.alker on 3/6/2010 at 12:16 PM Accepted
    If you are selling them purely for cosmetic purposes then on a small scale the FDA does not require you to go through it’s approval process.

    If you are claiming health benefits the FDA has an exclusion for herbal medicine from the type of testing associated with pharmaceutical products. County and state authorities should be guided by those rules.

    If any of your ingredients are hazardous then you will need at least local permission to sell them and some proof that in your preparations, the risks are insignificant or mitigated against through the quantities used and / or the way you prepare them.

    If they contain significant quantities of herbal psychotropic substances, please could I have your address and your price list! Just joking but you won’t get a license to sell if they contain actual or potentially illegal ingredients.

    Steve Alker
    Xspirt


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