Ohio Department of Agriculture Division of Food Safety Joann Dunlevey, RS Food Safety Specialist

Rules and Regulations of Honey and Honey Products

Rules and Regulations of Honey and Honey Products The State of Ohio Rules and Regulations for the processing of honey and honey products Definition and citation of pertinent terms Possible exemptions of Rules and Regulations for Ohio beekeepers Cottage Foods and Cottage Food Rule Farm and Farmers Market Rule Labeling Requirements

Honey (Definition) The term “Honey” means: The nectar and saccharine exudation of plants that has been gathered, modified and stored in a honeycomb by honeybees ORC 3715.01(A)(12) Creamed honey, whipped honey and spun honey are included under this definition. Pasteurized and raw honey are included under this definition. Flavored honey IS NOT included under this definition.

Cottage Foods The term “Cottage Food Production Operation” means: A person who, in the person’s home, produces food items that are not potentially hazardous foods, including bakery products, jams, jellies, candy, fruit butter, and similar products specified in rule. ORC 3715.01(A)(20) These foods must be processed in your home and/or home kitchen. Ohio Cottage Food Rule OAC 901:3-20 No inspection of the home is required. In January 2016 flavored honey was added to the list of allowed cottage food (total of 20 Cottage Foods) OAC 901:3-20-04

Food Processing Establishment The term “Food Processing Establishment” means: A premises or part of a premises where food is processed, packaged, manufactured, or otherwise held or handled for distribution to another location or for sale at wholesale. A “Food Processing Establishment” does not include a beekeeper who jars honey when a minimum of seventy-five per cent of the honey is from that beekeeper’s own hives. A “Food Processing Establishment” does not include a Cottage Food production operation. ORC 3715.021(A)

Registration A person that operates a Food Processing Establishment shall register the establishment annually with the Director of Agriculture. ORC 3715.041(A)(2)

Registration Registration Required? If 75% or more of the honey that is processed from your own hives a Registration from ODA FS is not required. If over 25% of honey that is processed is purchased from other beekeepers then a Registration with ODA FS is required. You may request a Registration if you are exempt

Registration If no Registration is required than there are no requirements for processing honey. Home and/or outbuildings are acceptable for extracting and bottling honey. If a Registration is required the Food Processing Facility must adhere to GMP’s Good Manufacturing Practices OAC 901:3-1

Farm and Farmers Markets In order to be eligible for the exemptions provided under OAC 901:3-6 the Farm or Farmers Market must be Registered with the Ohio Department of Agriculture This Registration is different from the Registration discussed earlier for Food Processing Establishments. Registration is free and must be filed yearly.

Farm and Farmers Markets The term “Farm Market” means a producer operated facility where food items are offered for sale The term “Farmers Market” means a location where producers congregate to offer food items for sale Food items are from a preapproved list OAC 901:3-6-01(B)

Farm and Farmers Markets The following food items are allowed at a Registered Farm and Farmers Market Products from a Cottage Food Production Operation Honey from a beekeeper as described in ORC 3715.021(A)

Labeling Requirements Statement of Identity Statement of Responsibility Statement of Net Contents Betty’s Bees 100% Raw Honey Betty’s Bees Inc 123 Main St Cleveland OH 44111 Net Wt. 16 oz (454 g)

Labeling Requirements Statement of Identity Ingredient Statement Cottage Food Statement Statement of Responsibility Statement of Net Contents Betty’s Bees Strawberry Flavored Honey Ingredients: Honey and Natural Strawberry Flavor This Product is Home Produced. Betty’s Bees Inc 123 Main St Cleveland OH 44111 Net Wt. 16 oz (454 g)

Labeling Components Statement of Responsibility Statement of Identity Ingredients Statement Statement of Net Contents Statement, “This product is home produced “ Only if it is a Cottage Food We will discuss each component briefly. Please refer to the labeling handout.

Additional Information on Labels An infant botulism warning statement is not required, but recommended Country of Origin label is not required, unless the honey does not originate in the USA Email, website, phone number and similar information is allowed, but not a substitute for the required information.

Apiary Registration Your apiary or apiaries must be registered with the Ohio Department of Agriculture Division of Plant Health, Apiary Section $5 per apiary location For more information contact (614)728-6373 plant@agri.ohio.gov

Questions?

Contact Information Ohio Department of Agriculture Division of Food Safety 8995 East Main Street Reynoldsburg, Oh 43068 Phone Number 614-728-6250 Fax 614-644-0720 Email foodsafety@agri.ohio.gov Website www.agri.ohio.gov