Cottage food rules
Cottage Food Law for Baked Goods: What to Check
Know what your state allows before you bake for sale.
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What to remember
- Your state sets the rules for what you can bake, where you can sell, and how much you can sell.
- Cottage food laws list allowed and prohibited foods, sales caps, selling places, and when a commercial kitchen is required.
- Permit, license, and inspection rules are not the same in every state.
- Labeling requirements are part of cottage food law, and AFDO guidance covers them.
Start with your own state, not a generic checklist. Specific requirements for cottage food laws vary by state, and a rule that works in one state may not travel. Best cottage food law states can help you compare, but your state’s cottage food law decides what you can sell from your home kitchen.
What cottage food law covers for baked goods
For baked goods, cottage food laws by state set out sales caps, allowed and prohibited foods, where you can sell, and when a commercial kitchen is required. They also cover licensing, food safety regulations, labeling requirements, and permissible homemade foods, according to AFDO’s state guidance. That is why the details matter before you take an order.
Check these six things before you sell
Find your state's cottage food law
Use your state’s official guidance or AFDO’s state list. AFDO provides detailed state-specific laws and guidance for cottage food production.
Confirm your bakes are allowed
Cottage food laws list allowed and prohibited foods. Check that your baked goods are permitted before you bake for sale.
Check the sales cap
Cottage food laws by state set sales caps. Know the limit before you plan a month of orders.
Check where you can sell
Rules set where you can sell. Confirm the places your state allows before you advertise.
Check labeling
Labeling requirements are part of cottage food law. Make sure your labels have what your state requires before you print.
Check permit and kitchen rules
License and permit rules vary by state, and some situations require a commercial kitchen. Confirm whether you need a permit, license, inspection, or commercial kitchen.
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Labels, permits, and your first sale
If you sell cakes or frosting, check cottage food law approved frosting before you print labels. If your state requires a license, how to apply for a home bakery license walks through the application. Keep your state’s current rules with your recipes so you can check them before each new bake.
Virginia cottage food law covers labeling requirements, and AFDO guidance also covers labeling. Check the exact wording your state wants before you order stickers or print tags. If you change a recipe or add a new bake, check the label again.
Common questions
Do I need a permit to sell baked goods from home?
Not always. In Virginia, home bakers can sell baked goods from home with no permit or inspection, but license and permit rules vary by state.
What can cottage food law let me sell?
It depends on your state. Cottage food laws set allowed and prohibited foods, sales caps, where you can sell, and when a commercial kitchen is required.
Are cottage food rules the same in every state?
No. Every state has its own cottage food laws, license requirements, and sales caps, and specific requirements vary by state.
Where can I find my state's rules?
AFDO provides detailed state-specific laws and guidance for cottage food production, covering licensing, food safety, labeling, and permissible homemade foods.
Does cottage food law cover labels?
Yes, labeling requirements are part of cottage food law in states such as Virginia, and AFDO guidance covers labeling requirements.
Sources
This is general information for home bakers, not legal advice. Cottage food rules change and vary by state, so confirm the current rules with your state before you sell.