Manufacturing herbal medicines

[Guest guest]

Hello all,

I am starting a business producing Chinese herbal decoctions, using a

Korean extractor and a packaging machine that dispenses single dose

vacuum pouches of the decoction. I have been producing them in my

home for fellow students, but am in the process of jumping through

the necessary hoops to produce the decoctions legitimately. To this

end I have been researching the necessary permits, licenses, health

inspections, correct zoning for the space etc. I am aware of the

issues surrounding labeling (no medical claims, prop 65, etc), but I

am encountering numerous hurdles in terms of finding the right gov't

offices to answer my questions. The requirements may be similar to

establishing a restaurant (though nothing will be consumed on the

premises). It may be possible for me to slip through the cracks by

having my home kitchen certified or by finding a restaurant that will

allow me to rent time and space, operating under their license at

first. If any of you readers have any experience or advice setting

up this type of business model, I would greatly appreciate any tips

you may have so that the red tape can be as painless as possible. I

am located in San Diego, CA. I realize the laws of manufacturing

food products varies from state to state, but simply finding the

right people to contact can be very challenging. Thanks for your

help. If the little lady who sells tamales on the corner can

navigate these issues, I'm sure there must be some solution that

involves minimal headaches!

 

-Eric Brand