Dried Beans

Definition: Dried beans are beans that have been dried in order to preserve them for future use, among the most popular are navy, black, pinto, and kidney.

Food Safety: Bacteria are a minor threat since the moisture content of most grains and cereals prevents their growth during storage. Mycotoxigenic molds produce toxins mainly associated with cereals and their products. Cereals can be infected with molds, sometimes in the field, but more commonly during improper storage. Once mycotoxins are present, they can persist through processing into the final food product and pose serious health consequences to those who consume the grain with high amounts of toxin.

Once beans are cooked, they are considered potentially hazardous and require temperature control for safety.

Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), Good Handling Practices (GHP): The recommendations for the reduction of mycotoxins in cereals can be found within GAPs and GHPs. The Codex Alimentarius lists specific best practices for the reduction of toxigenic molds in cereal grains. A HACCP Plan is also recommended if you are processing grains.

Distribution Method (Expand All | Collapse All)

You are selling your product at a farmers’ market, CSA, roadside stand, or other direct to consumer outlet

Licensing:Bean products that you produce:
  • If you do not use potentially hazardous foods in your production process and you are selling wrapped bean products you are exempt from licensing.
  • If you are selling bean products you have produced using unprocessed beans you have purchased from a Colorado grower or from a wholesaler you will need a Commodity Handlers License from the Colorado Department of Agriculture. For more information consult the Colorado Department of Agriculture website’s Commodity Handler Program or contact them directly.
  • If you are using unprocessed farm products you purchased from another Colorado producer or from a wholesaler to produce your baked goods, you will also need a Farm Product Dealers License. Unprocessed farm products do not include flour, rolled oats, or eggs but would include raw fruits and vegetables, milk and raw honey. For more information on what is considered an unprocessed farm product, consult General Licensing Requirements.
  • If you are selling any type of flour that you grind and bag at the market you will need to contact the Colorado Department of Agriculture for licensing information.

Bean products produced by someone else:

  • You must purchase bean products from a licensed wholesaler.

Dried beans:

  • Dried beans are considered non potentially hazardous. If you are selling bagged beans, you are exempt from licensing.

Once beans are cooked they are considered potentially hazardous and require temperature control for safety. If you would like to offer cooked samples of your product, you will need to obtain a Retail Food Establishment License, issued by your county health department.

If you are required to obtain a retail food establishment license, you may also need additional licensing and your processing facility may require inspection from your county health department. If you sell at farmers’ markets or other direct to consumer outlets in different counties, you should check with the health department in each county where you sell your product direct to consumers. Although not mandatory at this time, you may also register your processing facility with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Labeling: If you are selling wrapped bean products you will need to follow the general labeling requirements. If you are selling unwrapped bean products or bagging the product at the market, no label is required. If you buy individual packages in bulk, many do not have labeling on the package (may even be labeled “not for individual sale”) or the labeling is on the bulk box. You will want to have the labeling information on hand so you can answer customer questions (source, allergens, ingredients, etc.).

Sales Tax Liability: General sales tax information.

Weights and Measures: If you choose to sell your product by weight, you must follow the Colorado weights and measures requirements. If you choose to sell your product by count there are no regulations under this category.

You are selling your product to a store, restaurant, food cart, K-12 school, university, hospital, or other retail food establishment

Licensing:
  • To sell bean products that you have produced using products you have grown, you must first register with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) as a wholesale food manufacturing facility. Once you have registered your food manufacturing business, you may be inspected by CDPHE. Some manufacturing processes require specific certification and/or training that must be completed before you can manufacture an acidified food or process seafood products. If you are interested in doing either of these, you should first contact the Division of Environmental Health and Sustainability at (303) 692-3620 for further information and visit their page on wholesale food program information and requirements.
  • If you are selling bean products you have produced using unprocessed dried beans you have purchased from a Colorado grower or from a wholesaler you will need a Commodity Handlers License from the Colorado Department of Agriculture. For more information consult the Colorado Department of Agriculture website’s Commodity Handler Program or contact them directly.

Note that if you are selling at farmer’s market and as a wholesaler, you will need a to obtain a retail food establishment license and register as a wholesale food manufacturer.

Labeling: General labeling requirements.

Sales Tax Liability: General sales tax information.

Weights and Measures: If you are selling your product by weight, you must follow the Colorado weights and measures requirements. If you are selling your product by some other measure, such as count, there are no regulations in this category.