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State of California—Health and Human Services Agency California Department of Public Health
TOMÁS J. ARAGÓN, MD, DrPH GAVIN NEWSOM Director and State Public Health Officer Governor
Frequently Ask Questions: Cottage Food Operations and
Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations
Cottage Food Operations (CFOs) are a low-risk operation based on a limited number of
nonhazardous food products that can be stored. Microenterprise Home Kitchen
Operations (MEHKOs) are allowed to produce potentially hazardous foods but must be
serve the same day it is prepared without storage. Operations beyond the scope of a
CFO or MEHKO are welcome to apply for a retail food permit from the local
environmental health authority or a processed food registration from CDPH.
Question 1
Can a person operate both a CFO and a MEHKO in their residential kitchen?
Answer 1
No. One residence cannot have both a CFO and a MEHKO. The law does not
allow a CFO and a MEHKO in the same residence. The definition of a MEHKO
does not include a CFO (see HSC 113825(b)).
Question 2
Can a person operate multiple CFOs or multiple MEKHOs in their residence?
Answer 2
No. A cottage food operator is an individual who operates a cottage food
operation in his or her private home and is the owner. (see Health and Safety
Code section 113758).
A MEHKO is a food facility that is operated by a resident in a private home where
food is stored, handled and prepared (see Health and Safety Code section
113825).
Both a CFO and MEHKO have limitations for the gross dollar amount allowed,
number of employees, type of operation, allowed foods, etc. in a single
residence. The law does not allow limits to be aggregated by multiple operations
in the same residence.
Question 3
Could multiple people living in the same residence each operate a CFO or
MEHKO in the same residence.
Answer 3
No. See Answer 1 and 2
CDPH Food and Drug Branch, MS 7602 ● P.O. Box 997435 ● Sacramento, CA 95899-7435 (800) 495-3232 ● (916) 650-6650 FAX www.cdph.ca.gov