Idaho Bill: H 526

Bill Summary

HB 526 creates Idaho Code §39‑1608 to let very small cottage food operations—those with no more than $5,000 in total annual gross sales—sell time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods (items that require refrigeration or strict temperature control, like many dairy, meat, and prepared foods) directly to consumers, notwithstanding other food‑code restrictions. The cap applies to the entire cottage food operation, not just TCS items, so this carve‑out is limited to micro‑businesses selling directly (e.g., at home or farmers’ markets), and it takes effect July 1, 2026, under the bill’s emergency clause.

Why It Matters to the Make America Healthy Again Movement

The MAHA Movement supports this bill because it expands “food freedom” for small, local producers making real, minimally processed foods—like fresh dairy, prepared meals, or fermented products—outside the industrial food system, which aligns with MAHA’s emphasis on local, nutrient‑dense food economies over ultra‑processed, centralized supply chains. By carving out a tightly capped, direct‑to‑consumer exception for TCS foods, HB 526 lowers regulatory barriers for home‑scale entrepreneurs while still keeping volumes small, which MAHA sees as a sensible way to grow local food access without empowering large corporate processors.