According to the Environmental Health Section of the Georgia Department of Community Health's Division of Public Health, food that will be served to the public at a restaurant, event, festival or via a mobile food unit cannot be made or prepared in a home kitchen. However, some food items, including baked goods, may be made in a private home and sold direct to the consumer for nonprofit events or at approved farmers markets.
Georgia Code
Food that will be served to the public via a temporary event, restaurant or mobile food unit must be prepared in a licensed and inspected commercial kitchen and meet the guidelines established by the Department of Community Health's Rules and Regulations for Food Service, Chapter 290-5-14. This chapter prohibits preparation of food in residential kitchens because of limitations for maintaining proper food temperatures, access of family members and guests into the cooking environment and pets in the home.
Inspection Exemptions
Most foods that can be prepared at home fall under the guidelines established by the Department of Community Health. There are a few exemptions to the inspection rules. Food goods that can be made at home without requiring an inspection include jellies, jams, pickles and baked goods that do not have a filling.
Venue Limitations
Jellies, jams, pickles and baked goods cannot be sold to restaurants, bakeries or mobile food units. They may be sold direct to the consumer at festivals and events that are licensed and inspected for selling food. These items may also be sold at local farmers markets and events that are sponsored by civic groups, local governments or nonprofit organizations.
Packaging
The Georgia Food Act requires that all baked goods be packaged in a way that preserves the food. All products must have the common name of the product, the name, address and phone number of the person that baked the item and a list of all ingredients found in the product. While it is not required by law, most bakers also include an allergy warning if nuts are used.
Tags: baked goods, Community Health, Department Community, Department Community Health, mobile food