Ordinance would allow residents to sell homemade food items from their homes under certain regulations

The Eagle Pass City Council is considering bringing back the Texas Cottage Law Ordinance, which would allow residents to sell homemade food items from their homes under certain regulations. The ordinance was tabled over a year ago, but the city council is now looking to move forward on approving it.

In March 2022, the city council discussed updating the city ordinance to mirror that of the state laws in reference to the Texas Cottage Laws. The item was approved by the city council to be tabled and administration was directed to start an aggressive education campaign about the Texas Cottage Laws. The city conducted a series of workshops for the public with the final one was conducted in July 2022.

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If the ordinance is passed, it would allow Eagle Pass residents to sell homemade food items such as baked goods, jams, and jellies from their homes under certain regulations. This could provide an economic opportunity for residents, particularly those who are low-income or unemployed. It could also allow residents to share their culinary talents with the community.

Regulations apply, see more information here.

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However, there are also some concerns about the ordinance. Some people worry that it could lead to foodborne illnesses, as home-based food businesses are not subject to the same health and safety inspections as commercial food businesses. The ordinance will also help deter those who circumvent the state regulations when it comes to preparing food commercially.

The city council is expected to discuss the Texas Cottage Law Ordinance again in the coming weeks. It is unclear when the ordinance will be put to a vote.