I'm afraid that Maricopa County is no different than anyplace else in
the country (or the industrialized world for that matter). In other
words, there is a pile of rules, regulations and red tape to swim
through.
I will try to hit the basics here and have emailed questions to
Maricopa County for some other pieces of information. Since this is a
week end, I'm not expecting any answers from there before tomorrow at
the earliest.
First, you would qualify as a "food service worker" under local law
and would need a food server license.
( http://www.maricopa.gov/envsvc/ENVHLTH/FDWKR.asp ) - - " Food
service worker licenses are required for any person who handles,
prepares, serves, sells or gives away food for human consumption,
including those whose duties are restricted to busing or washing
dishes. The rule does not apply to workers in facilities that handle
food or beverages exclusively in a closed package or container. New
workers must obtain their licenses within 30 days." - - The only
exception, as you see, is for operations that handle exclusively
closed containers. Since the baking process would not fall under such
an exemption, you will need your license.
When the time comes that your growing business adds employees, they
will need to meet the minimal food worker licensing as well.
Since you mentioned you were creating samples, I'm afraid you would
still fall under the above as it includes food that is given away.
You were right on the button wondering about whether you should
distribute samples from your home kitchen. Though I'll gladly accept
any you may want to send my way.
Food Service Worker license testing sched:
( http://www.maricopa.gov/envsvc/ENVHLTH/FDWKR/fht.asp )
Now the butter frosting on the above requirement gets a little
thicker. (same web page as above) - "In 1998, Maricopa County adopted
a change to its food code requiring all food establishments handling
open, potentially hazardous foods to have at least one licensed
Certified Manager who has undergone more extensive food service
training. The deadline for meeting this requirement was January 1,
2000. New establishments must meet the requirement within 90 days of
opening." - - If you are going to start out as a one person operation,
you will probably need the above advanced licensing also. You will
also find that Maricopa County has no program to teach what you need
for the advanced licensing, you must find instructors in the private
sector.
This list is of private concerns which offer such instruction.
( http://www.maricopa.gov/envsvc/ENVHLTH/FDWKR/mci.asp )
When you propose a food service operation, you must submit a plan for
approval. This page deals with restaurant and food service
establishments. One of the emails I sent has to do with just how much
of this would apply to you. But I would recommend reading all of it
just in case.
( http://www.maricopa.gov/envsvc/ENVHLTH/planrev.asp )
The contact list at the bottom of this page is the one I used for my
email. Should you wish to do the same, at least there will be
continuity in those who are answering our questions. I emailed the
secretary.
You can also read through a sample application.
( http://www.maricopa.gov/envsvc/ENVHLTH/PLANS/sampapp.pdf ) - it is
in pdf format. The sample includes a listing of fees including those
charged for non-restaurant types of food establishments.
I have given just a basic synoposis of what is required. As per your
request to have a good online source, the material above and all
quotes are from Maricopa.gov - ( http://www.maricopa.gov/ ) where you
will find additional information including inspection and health codes
as well as food law for the state of Arizona. Much of it is in pdf
format, so if you don't have Acrobar Reader, you will need one. It
can be downloaded for free at this website.
Of course there are the normal business requirements which do not
apply just to food preparation such as required county, city or state
licensing and tax permits. Much of that information is covered in the
same website.
Search was with Google
Key terms - home business law arizona, maricopa county health
ordinances, food service arizona, maricopa county code
If you need any clarifications, please ask.
Cheers
digsalot |
Clarification of Answer by
digsalot-ga
on
15 Aug 2002 09:19 PDT
I received a response from Maricopa county. While she didn't answer
the question, she does provide the phone number of the Manager Dan
Queen. She also CC'd a copy of the response to him so that he might
know what you will be asking if you make the call.
Subject:
RE: Food preparation
Date:
Tue, 13 Aug 2002 08:07:53 -0700
From:
Donna Martinez - ENVX <DMartine@mail.maricopa.gov>
To:
*************************************************
CC:
Dan Queen - ENVX <DQueen@mail.maricopa.gov>, Karen Reno - ENVX
<KReno@mail.maricopa.gov>
**********, please call the Manager, Dan Queen at 602-506-6986 as I
cannot answer your questions. These are technical questions. Thank
you.
-----Original Message-----
From:*************************
Sent: Sunday, August 11, 2002 6:58 AM
To: dmartine@mail.maricopa.gov
Subject: Food preparation
Hello - I was wondering how much of the restaurant approval procedure
would be needed for a home based business preparing baked goods for
sale
to restaurants or even if such a type of business would even be
permitted?
The home baking itself would involve only the preparation of initial
samples with the actual baking for the ongoing business being done in
an
approved kitchen facility outside the home. Would one be in violation
of the law by even passing out the samples?
Thank you for your consideration
|
