producing foods in new hampshire- do it safe, do it legal u.s. small business administration webinar...

Producing Foods in New Hampshire-

Do it Safe, Do it Legal

U.S. Small Business Administration Webinar

September 24, 2014

Agenda

What agencies regulate food in New HampshireWhat are the requirements for food establishments in New HampshireWhere can the regulations be foundWho can answer questions for a small business

NH Department of Health and Human Services-Food ProtectionUnder RSA 143-A a food service license is required for all

food service establishments and retail food stores • grocery stores • schools • restaurants • mobile food units• home food manufacturers • bed and breakfast facilities• bakeries • bars/lounges

What is NOT under the jurisdiction of Food Protection?

Temporary Food EstablishmentsOccasional Food Service Establishments and EventsFood Pantries and Soup KitchensChild care centers, youth camps, nursing homesFood Establishments-Self Inspecting Cities &Towns

NH DHHS Food Protection also:Licenses Beverage and Bottle Water

Licenses Dairy Products

Licenses Shellfish

License Food Processors

What is under the jurisdiction of the NH Department of Agriculture?

Raw Agricultural ProductsMeatPoultry and Egg ProductsMaple SyrupHoneyPet Food

Difference Between Homestead Food Operation and Food Processing Plant

Homestead LicenseWhat is allowed?

Baked goods – breads, muffins, cookies,Candy – lollipops, chocolates, fudge, etc.Packaged dry products – granola, spice mixes, dry soup mixes, dried herbs, etc.Foods that do not require refrigeration.Jams and jellies.Acid foods – BBQ sauces, mustards, vinegars, etc.

More Basic Facts about Homestead Food Operations

Minimal facility requirements using their own residential kitchen

Single sink with dishmachine OR2 bay sink to wash, rinse and sanitize equipment and utensilsMay use their home (residential) refrigeratorPets must be out of kitchen during preparation and packaging

Homestead Food Labeling

Chocolate Chip CookiesAshley’s Cookies 2550 Kingston LaneAnytown, NH 03333(603) 555-5555

Ingredients: Enriched flour (Wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine, mononitrate, riboflavin and folic acid), butter (milk, salt), chocolate chips (sugar, chocolate liquor, cocoa butter, butterfat (milk), Soy lecithin as an emulsifier), walnuts, sugar, eggs, salt, artificial vanilla extract, baking soda. Contains: wheat, eggs, milk, soy, walnuts

“This product is exempt from New Hampshire licensing and inspection.”

12 oz (340g)

Net Wt. 3 oz

Additional requirements for some food products to be approved

Potentially Hazardous food has pH>4.6 and aw>0.85Laboratory tests requiredProducts that contain banana, zucchini, or pumpkin need to have a pH and aw done to determine if the product meets the definition of potentially hazardous food (pH>4.6 and aw>0.85).

What is a Process Review?

Evaluation of how a food product is madeConducted by a Process AuthorityAids in identifying critical control points

More homestead food products that need further testing for approval

Jams and jellies Acid foods

BBQ saucesMustardsHot sauces

When is Homestead License Required?A Homestead License is required if:

Your annual gross income from your homestead products exceeds $20,000; or,You wish to offer your non-potentially hazardous products to restaurants, other retail food establishments, over the Internet, by mail order establishments, over the Internet, by mail order

Homestead license application requirements

Water test results, if the residential kitchen has a private well – bacteria, nitrates, and nitrites.A complete list of products to be made.A list of locations that the products will be sold.

Products that always require a process review

Depending on the formulation, these products may be classified as acidified foods not acid foods and therefore, require a process review.

Acidified foods are low-acid foods to which acid or acid foods are added – pickles, relishes.Acid foods have a natural pH below 4.6.

Products not approved for homestead licenses

Products that meet the definition of potentially hazardous foods in He-P 2300.

Products that have a ph >4.6 and a water activity (aw) >0.85.Foods that require refrigeration – cheesecakes, pumpkin pies, custards, cakes with fresh fruit fillings/cream cheese frostings, salsas, soups, salads, sandwiches, etc.Acidified foods – pickles, relishes, salsas, hot sauces, pepper jellies, etc.

Food Processing Plant

In order to operate a food processing plant in New Hampshire, a food license shall be obtained.

Commercial Kitchen Requirements

Commercial refrigeration3-bay sink to wash, rinse, and sanitize equipmentFood prep sinkAt least one handsinkMop sinkFloors, walls, and ceilings are required to be

smooth, durable, non-absorbent and easily cleanable.

Commercial Kitchen Requirements

Water test resultsSeptic DocumentationIf the facility is new then floor plans are required to be submitted for a plan review HACCP planRecall Plan

Meat and Poultry Requirements

Beef, Pork, Goat and Other MeatPoultry

FDA Requirements

LabelingRegistration

Resources

State LevelNH DHHS-licensing of retail food establishments, food processors, shellfish, dairy products, beverage and bottled water-www.dhhs.nh.govNH Department of Agriculture-organic certification, apples, cider, eggs, potatoes, honey, and maple productshttp://agriculture.nh.gov/NH Department of Environmental Services-water quality-www.des.nh.gov

Federal Resources

US Food and Drug Administration-www.fda.govInformation about food labeling and facility registration

US Department of Agriculture-www.usda.govThe USDA “Guidance for Determining Whether a Poultry Slaughter or Processing Operation Is Exempt from Inspection Requirements of the Poultry Product Inspection Act ” is available at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/oppde/rdad/fsisnotices/poultry_slaughter_exemption_0406.pdf

Other Resources

New England Food Entrepreneurs http://extension.unh.edu/nefe/

Contact Information

Royann BossidyColleen Smith

NHDPHS Food Protection Section603-271-458929 Hazen Drive

Concord, NH 03301Colleen.smith@dhhs.state.nh.us

rbossidy@dhhs.state.nh.uswww.dhhs.nh.gov/dhhs/foodprotection

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