Cottage food rules
Cottage Food Laws in Bakersfield, CA: What to Know
A clear, local look at what you can sell from your Bakersfield kitchen and how to stay on the right side of the rules.
On this page
What to remember
- Only non-potentially hazardous foods on the California Department of Public Health approved list may be sold.
- The state maintains the list but does not permit or register cottage food operations.
- Kern County allows direct sales to the public, including phone and internet orders.
- Kern County asks operators who registered before to call (661) 862-8740 for help.
If you bake in Bakersfield and sell from home, the first question is not how to market your cookies. It is whether each item you want to sell appears on the state list. California’s cottage food program is built around that list, and Kern County’s cottage food page points back to it. The rest of this guide walks through what to check before you take a single order. For the wider picture, see cottage food laws and regulations.
Check the approved foods list first
The California Department of Public Health does not permit or register cottage food operations, but it does maintain the Approved Cottage Food List. Foods in the program must be non-potentially hazardous and must comply with that list. In Kern County, only foods on the official state-approved list may be sold. The county notes that this includes most non-perishable foods. If you are unsure about a recipe, do not guess. Ask the county before you bake it for sale. Our guide to what cottage food law is explains the basics in plain words.
Selling directly in Kern County
Kern County allows a cottage food operation to sell home-kitchen prepared foods directly to the public. That includes transactions made by phone, internet, and other digital methods. For a home baker, this matters because it covers the way many orders actually arrive: a text from a neighbor, a message from a friend, or an order through your own shop. The food still has to be on the approved list, and it still has to be prepared, packaged, and labeled as required. If you want a simple way to take those orders, Brevl gives you a shop that is yours to customize.
Labels, packaging, and the details that matter
Every food product sold by a cottage food operation must be listed on the CDPH Approved Food List and prepared, packaged, and labeled accordingly. That sentence is short, but it carries a lot of weight. A beautiful bake can still cause a problem if the label is missing what the program requires. Before you print a single sticker, confirm the current label rules for your product. The county can tell you what applies to your kitchen and your recipes. Keep a simple file with your approved product list, your labels, and any notes from the county. For the money side of home sales, see cottage food laws and taxes.
If you registered before, call the county
Kern County advises cottage food operators who have registered before to contact (661) 862-8740 for assistance. If you sold under an older registration, or you are not sure whether your paperwork is still current, that is the number the county points you to. Call before you restock ingredients or promise a customer a date. The person on the phone can tell you what the county needs from you now. If you are starting fresh, ask the same office what a new operator should do, since the state does not register cottage food operations and the local steps are the ones that matter.
Common questions
Does California register cottage food operations?
No. The California Department of Public Health does not permit or register Cottage Food Operations. It does maintain the Approved Cottage Food List that operators must follow.
Can I sell bakes online in Bakersfield?
Kern County allows cottage food operations to sell home-kitchen prepared foods directly to the public, including transactions made by phone, internet, and other digital methods. The food must still be on the state approved list and prepared, packaged, and labeled accordingly.
Which foods can I sell?
Only non-potentially hazardous foods that appear on the CDPH Approved Cottage Food List. Kern County says the list includes most non-perishable foods. Check each recipe before you offer it.
I registered my cottage food operation before. Who do I call?
Kern County advises operators who registered before to contact (661) 862-8740 for assistance.
Do I need labels?
Yes. All food products sold by a cottage food operation must be listed on the CDPH Approved Food List and prepared, packaged, and labeled accordingly. Confirm the current label details with the county before you print.
Sources
This is general information for home bakers, not legal advice. Rules can change. Confirm your situation with Kern County and the California Department of Public Health.