Food and drug branch (fdb)
FDB Home Page
Contact
Main Telephone:
(800) 495-3232
Email:
Address (Courier Delivery):
California Department of Public Health - Food and Drug Branch
1500 Capitol Ave, MS 7602
Sacramento, CA 95814
Address (Non-Courier Delivery):
California Department of Public Health - Food and Drug Branch
P.O. Box 997435, MS 7602
Sacramento, CA 95899
Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKO)
Assembly
Bill (AB) 626 authored by Assemblyman Garcia, Chapter 470, Statutes of 2018,
was signed into law by Governor Brown on September 18, 2018;
effective January 1, 2019. This bill amends the California Health
and Safety Code to establish a “microenterprise home kitchen operation,” referred to as
MEHKOs, as a new type of retail food facility that will allow an individual to
operate a restaurant in their private residence. The new law also establishes requirements
for “Internet
Food Service Intermediary” (IFSI) entities, which provides a platform on its
Internet Web site or mobile application, where a microenterprise home kitchen
operation (MEHKO) can advertise food for sale. IFSIs are required to obtain a
registration from the California Department of Public Health – Food and Drug
Branch prior to advertising or promoting MEHKOs on their internet web site or
mobile application.
MEHKO
Effective January 1, 2019, the new law gives a city or county “full discretion” to authorize the MEHKOs in their jurisdiction. Under the regulations, until a county or a city authorizes these types of operations, MEHKOs will not be able to be issued a health permit to operate. To learn if a city and/or county has adopted an ordinance or resolution, or to find information about the full permit and operational requirements to operate a MEHKO in your area, please contact your local environmental health agency.