Honey Laws---- Need Help!!!!

[sc-bee]

I know this has probably been ask several times @ the least :-D!!! I did a search and found a couple of threads.

What I need to know is what are the regulations for the packing and selling of honey in your state. I am in particular interested in states that treat honey as a raw Agricultural product and has some exemptions to the standard food processing law for other foods (meat etc.).

Some states have exemptions for casual sells @ farmers markets etc. ( I am not talking about word of mouth sells from your home). Found this info in a thread--- I see where Tn has an exemption for under 150 gallons ---- I see where Oregon has an exemption if you keep less than 21 hives. These are the types of examples I am looking for. Please send specific info and hopefully pdf. of exemptions and laws, links to regulations for your state, or a contact number where I can get them.

We are looking into the possible drafting of a bill that may make honey packing a little less restrictive and need specifics.


Thanks
Steve Seigler
South Carolina

[tecumseh]

there is an exemption in the 'food processing and manufacturing' laws in Texas that exempt unprocessed product. honey will 'kind of' fall into this niche. as long as the honey you sell is sold direct (and not thru some middleman or retailer) the product is exempt.

thus the honey I sell at the local farmer's market off the back of my pick up truck requires no 'food manufacturing' permit. if I wished to place a few jars at some local retail outlet a state permit (and honey house inspection) would be required.

people who reguarly sell processed food product at our local farmer's market tell me that the state requirements (essential a seperate facility from living quarters, a commercial style kitchen and three sinks) are not extremely burdensome.

[sc-bee]

tecumshe

Can you direct me to the proper documentation, regs. etc.?

Thanks

[Haddon]

I called and got all the rules for Mississippi yeasterday.

Boiled down to you need a food lisence if you are going to sell someone to use as a ingerdient. Say the local Bar B Q shop wants to buy your local honey to use in thier sauce well you need a lisence to sellto them, at a farmers market you dont you could even get away with selling in a local shop. If the person knows they are buying your honey you dont need one if they dont know you need one.

I will try to send you a copy.
Now I think some of the restriction are to strong and do not make enough exceptions. Like they require a designated area year round I have the ablity to do that but it just seemed exsesive to me. Also it cant be in your home I know tons of bussiness run out of garages.
Let me say my state had no law till just a few years ago but you know how one bad apple spoils the bunch someone did some crap that shouldnt be done.

[Ardilla]

Reading Tecumseh's post, it looks like Texas is similar to New Mexico in that it exempts producer sold products. Here is the NM exception language (the processing & marketing laws would be too much to quote):

"76-15-10. Exclusions and exemptions.

The Produce Marketing Act [ 76-15-10 to 76-15-22 NMSA 1978] shall not apply to any New Mexico grower growing and selling produce of his own production."

To my knowledge, honey falls under this rule even though it isn't grown. There are rules against selling meat & dairy without inspections etc.