Should Home Bakers and Food Makers Face Fewer Rules in Alberta?
Official title: Food regulation engagement
Alberta asked whether people should be able to sell homemade jams, baked goods, and pickles with less red tape. The goal was to make it easier for home food entrepreneurs to start small businesses while still keeping food safe.
Why This Matters
Want to sell your famous cookies at the farmers market? This was about you. Alberta loosened rules for low-risk homemade foods, making it easier to turn a kitchen hobby into a side business.
What Could Change
The Food Regulation and Foodservices Code was updated in spring 2020. Home food entrepreneurs now face fewer licensing hurdles for low-risk items like baked goods, jams, candies, and pickles.
Key Issues
- What rules should apply to selling low-risk homemade foods like baked goods and jams?
- How can red tape be reduced while still protecting public health?
What Happened
Feedback from this consultation informed changes to Alberta's Food Regulation and Food Retail and Foodservices Code, which were introduced in spring 2020. The changes reduced red tape and increased flexibility for home-prepared food entrepreneurs selling low-risk items.