January 6, 2013 (San Diego’s East County)  -- Love to cook and want to earn some extra money? 

The California Homemade Food Act, AB 1616, took effect January 1. It allows people to sell certain items cooked in their home kitchen, such as cookies, churros, dried fruits and pasta.   Those who wish to sell homemade foods must take a class and obtain a permit from the Health Department, though no inspection of kitchens is required.

There are restrictions on the types of foods allowed and where you can sell them.Sale of baked goods with cream, custard or meat fillings are not allowed due to higher spoilage rates.  You also can’t sell outside of your county, with certain exceptions.  Sale at farmers markets is allowed, provided rules for individual farmers markets are met.  You can also sell over the Internet, but only to buyers who live in California. 

January 2, 2013 (San Diego) -- Without carbon monoxide alarms, one neighbor’s faulty appliance in a multi-family dwelling can easily become a tragedy that affects ALL tenants. The California Office of the State Fire Marshal cited a recent study that found nearly nine in 10 California households do NOT have a CO alarm

All multi-family dwelling units, such as apartments, are required to have a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm by January 1, 2013. Landlords are responsible for installation, so for tenants whose units do not have a CO alarm, now is the time to remind your landlord by requesting one.