213.1 The operator of a microenterprise home kitchen business shall apply the safe food practices in this section to limit the potential for foodborne illnesses.

213.2 Only operators of a microenterprise home kitchen business or persons under the operator's direct supervision shall be authorized to be in the kitchen while microenterprise home kitchen business food products are being prepared, packaged, or handled.

213.3 Authorized persons involved with the preparation, packaging, or handling of microenterprise home kitchen food products shall wash their hands and exposed portions of their arms before starting food preparation and food packaging activities.

213.4 Bare-hand contact with ready-to-eat foods is prohibited and single-service gloves, bakery paper, tongs, and other utensils shall be used when handling ready-to-eat foods.

213.5 Liquid soap, paper towels, and water warm to the touch shall be available at all sinks.

213.6 All persons must wear hair restraints and clean outer garments during the preparation, packaging, or handling of microenterprise home kitchen business food products.

213.7 Operators of a microenterprise home kitchen business or persons under the operator's direct supervision shall not eat, drink, or engage in any smoking activity, as defined in § 9901, in the home kitchen during the processing, preparation, packaging, or handling of microenterprise home kitchen business food products.

213.8 Operators of a microenterprise home kitchen business or persons under the operator's direct supervision shall not use a utensil more than once to taste any microenterprise home kitchen business food product or ingredient and shall not thereafter use that utensil for any food preparation until the utensil is properly washed.

213.9 Personal care items shall not be stored in the home kitchen unless stored in a manner that does not allow contamination of food products or food-contact surfaces.

213.10 Spray bottles containing cleaning solutions shall be labeled with the name of the solution.

213.11 Pest control chemicals shall not be used during any food handling activities or stored in the home kitchen to prevent contamination of food products and food-contact surfaces.

SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 72 DCR 011556 (October 17, 2025).