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

2. Rules and Regulations of Honey and Honey Products

3. 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

4. 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 (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.

5. 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 (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:

6. 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 (A)

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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 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)

12. 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 (A)

13. 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 Net Wt. 16 oz (454 g)

14. 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 Net Wt. 16 oz (454 g)

15. 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.

17. 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
, website, phone number and similar information is allowed, but not a substitute for the required information.

18. 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)

19. Questions?

20. Contact Information
Ohio Department of Agriculture
Division of Food Safety
8995 East Main Street
Reynoldsburg, Oh 43068
Phone Number
Fax
Website