Cottage Food Laws
Cottage Food Laws: What Sellers Need to Know
Cottage food laws are state rules that let people make certain foods at home and sell them without a commercial kitchen. They exist in every U.S. state but differ widely. Most allow shelf-stable foods, cap annual sales, restrict where you can sell, and require specific labeling — including a home-kitchen disclaimer.
Cottage food laws are the state rules that let people make certain foods at home and sell them without a commercial kitchen. They exist in some form in every U.S. state, but the details differ a lot. Here's the plain-English overview of what every seller should understand — and exactly what to confirm for your own state.
This is general education, not legal advice. Cottage food laws change and vary by state and locality — always confirm current rules with your official state or county source.
What to confirm in your state
| Area | What to check |
|---|---|
| Allowed foods | The specific list of shelf-stable items your state permits |
| Prohibited foods | Perishable or potentially hazardous items that are excluded |
| Sales limits | Any annual revenue cap on cottage food sales |
| Where you can sell | Direct-to-consumer, pickup/delivery, markets, and any shipping rules |
| Registration / training | Whether a permit, registration, or food-handler course is required |
| Labeling | Required label fields and the home-kitchen disclaimer wording |
You can review state-by-state details in our Compliance Center, which breaks down allowed foods, labeling, and sales limits per state.
Labeling is where most issues happen
Incorrect labels are one of the most common compliance problems. Most states require your business name and address, a full ingredient list, allergen disclosures, net weight, and a specific cottage food disclaimer stating the product was made in a home kitchen. Check the exact labeling requirements for your state.
Staying compliant over time
Rules get updated, and your sales may grow past cottage food limits. Revisit your state's requirements at least once a year, keep records of your sales, and know when it might be time to move to a licensed kitchen. Once your rules are clear, the next steps are starting your business and getting verified; if you sell at events, pair this with the farmers market vendor checklist.
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Sources
- U.S. FDA — Food Code (federal food-safety reference adopted by states)
- Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services — Cottage Food Operations
- Georgia Department of Agriculture — Cottage Food
- Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture — Cottage Food
- Oregon Department of Agriculture — Cottage Food Operations
Frequently asked questions
What foods are allowed under cottage food laws?
Most states allow shelf-stable, non-potentially-hazardous foods such as baked goods, jams and jellies, candies, and dry mixes. Items needing refrigeration for safety are usually excluded. Your state sets the exact list.
What has to be on a cottage food label?
Most states require your business name and address, a full ingredient list (in descending order by weight), allergen disclosures, net weight, and a cottage food disclaimer stating the product was made in a home kitchen.
Is cottage food registration the same as marketplace verification?
No. State registration is a legal step with your state. Verification is how Local Cottage Foods confirms sellers before they go live, and you may be asked for your state registration as part of it. Both matter — see how verification works.
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