Terms & Conditions — Baked by Paolo

California Cottage Food Operation Last updated: February 2026

Welcome to Baked by Paolo, a home-based cottage food bakery operated by Paolo in Menifee (Riverside County), California. By placing an order, you agree to the following terms and policies.

1. Mandatory California Labeling & Food Safety

Baked by Paolo operates under California’s Cottage Food Law (Riverside County Health Department).

• Home Kitchen Statement: Our products are handmade in a home kitchen that is not subject to routine government food safety inspections.

• Permitted Sales: In accordance with state law, products are sold directly to local customers within California and cannot be shipped across state lines.

2. Food Handling & Consumption Responsibility

Once products are picked up, the customer assumes full responsibility for proper storage, handling, and consumption.

• Freshness Window: Because our items contain no commercial preservatives, they are best enjoyed within 24–48 hours of pickup. Quality naturally declines over time, which is not considered a defect.

• Limitation of Liability: Baked by Paolo is not responsible for quality or safety issues resulting from improper storage, transportation (e.g., leaving items in a hot vehicle), temperature exposure, or delayed consumption.

3. Assumption of Risk & Allergen Notice

• Allergen Warning: All products are made in a home kitchen that handles gluten, dairy, eggs, and nuts. Cross-contamination may occur; we cannot guarantee an 100% allergen-free environment.

• Risk Acknowledgement: By purchasing, the customer acknowledges that homemade foods carry inherent risks, including allergic reactions and foodborne illness. The customer assumes all risk related to consumption.

• Liability Waiver: Baked by Paolo shall not be liable for adverse reactions except where specifically required by California law.

4. Ordering, Payment & Pickup

• Notice Period: Orders require a minimum of 2 days (48 hours) notice.

• Payment: Full payment via Venmo, Zelle, CashApp, or Webador is required to secure your spot on the baking schedule.

• Abandoned Orders: Orders not collected within the agreed pickup window may be discarded for food safety reasons. No refunds will be issued for uncollected or "forgotten" orders.

• Third-Party Pickup: If a customer purchases items for another person or utilizes a third party for pickup, the purchaser accepts responsibility for communicating all allergen and storage information to the recipient.

5. Refunds, Cancellations & Chargebacks

• Issue Resolution: If an item is damaged or incorrect, contact us within 24 hours at bakedbypaolo@gmail.com. We offer replacements or refunds for verified errors.

• No Change of Mind: Because products are made fresh to order, we do not offer refunds for "change of mind."

• Chargeback Protection: Payment reversals or chargebacks after order fulfillment will be disputed and will result in the permanent refusal of future service.

• Force Majeure: We reserve the right to cancel or reschedule orders due to illness, equipment failure, or circumstances beyond our control. A full refund will be provided in these rare cases.

6. Marketing, Resale & Rights

• Photography: Baked by Paolo reserves the right to use photos of any product we create for marketing and social media purposes.

• Resale Prohibited: Products are sold for personal consumption only and may not be resold without express written permission (pursuant to California Cottage Food permit limits).

• Right to Refuse Service: We reserve the right to refuse service for any order that presents a safety, legal, or operational concern.

Contact Information

Baked by Paolo | Menifee, California

Email: bakedbypaolo@gmail.com

Phone: (858) 683-4846