New Jersey Cottage Food Operators
The New Jersey Department of Health requires all New Jersey Cottage Food Operators to test their water for Total Coliform and/or E.coli. To ensure sample integrity, the well water sample must be collected and delivered to a New Jersey Certified Drinking Water Lab (CDWL) by a representative of the laboratory. Well water samples collected and submitted to the CDWL by a Cottage Food Operator permit applicant or anyone other than the CDWL representative will be considered invalid.
Private Well Water
If the location uses private well water, submit a copy of a microbiological (total coliform) analysis of the private well water that is conducted using a sample collected no earlier than 60 days prior to the filing date of this application.
Upon receipt of laboratory results, the New Jersey Cottage Food Operator permit applicant will provide the microbiological analysis of the private well water to the New Jersey Department of Health, along with any necessary forms/documents when finalizing and submitting their application.
If the initial sample is positive for Total Coliform and/or E.coli, resampling does not need to be performed immediately the following day. Resampling would be required to take place after remediation/treatment is completed. If the customer has a water treatment system, samples are to be collected and analyzed post-treatment.
The applicant should still submit the results, even if coliform is present, and then take corrective actions. The application will be denied, then a letter will be sent to notify the applicant. From there they can resubmit corrective actions and subsequent follow up test results.
$72 for Total Coliform/E. coli
Plus either
$183 sampling fee for North Jersey
and Cape May County
Or
$115 sampling fee for South Jersey
For more information regarding the New Jersey Cottage Food Industry please visit:
Department of Health | Environmental Health | Cottage Food Operators – Home Bakers (nj.gov)
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