Cottage food rules
Does Kentucky Have Cottage Food Laws? What Home Bakers Can Sell
What Kentucky allows, what it requires, and how to stay inside the rules.
On this page
What to remember
- Kentucky has cottage food rules.
- Annual sales are capped at $60,000 in gross income.
- A license is required.
- Allowed foods include baked goods, dried fruit, candy, jams and jellies, and granola.
- Labels need the name and address of the operation, the food name, and ingredients in descending order.
If you bake from your home kitchen in Kentucky, the rules are specific. The state’s home-based processing page provides current information on registration, allowable products, permitted selling methods, operating standards, and labeling requirements. For the wider picture, see cottage food laws: what they are and how they work.
The $60,000 sales cap
Kentucky caps annual cottage food sales at $60,000 in gross income per year from the sale of the products. That cap is written into the statutory definition of both paths under KRS 217.015. If your sales are growing, keep a simple record of gross income through the year so you can see where you stand.
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License, registration, and labels
Kentucky’s cottage food rules require a license. Registration for home-based processors in Kentucky is ongoing. The state page covers registration, allowable products, permitted selling methods, operating standards, and labeling requirements. KRS 217.136 covers home-based processors of food and cosmetic products, including exemption from permit requirements and rules for production, labeling, and sales of home-processed products. For the license side, see Department of Agriculture home bakery license.
Labels must include the name and address of the home-based processing operation, the common or usual name of the food product, and the ingredients listed in descending order. Put that information on every item you sell, and keep a copy of your label so you can check it when a recipe changes.
What you can sell
Kentucky’s allowed foods include baked goods, dried fruit, candy, jams and jellies, and granola. That list is a useful starting point, but the state page is the source to check before you add a new product. If you are comparing nearby states, our guide to Ohio cottage food laws shows how another state handles home baking.
A simple way to get ready
Check the state page
Start with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services home-based processing page. It covers registration, allowable products, permitted selling methods, operating standards, and labeling requirements.
Confirm your product
Compare your recipe to the allowed foods list. Kentucky’s list includes baked goods, dried fruit, candy, jams and jellies, and granola.
Follow the license and registration steps
Kentucky’s cottage food rules require a license, and registration for home-based processors is ongoing. Use the state page to confirm what applies to you.
Label every item
Put the name and address of your home-based processing operation, the common or usual name of the food, and the ingredients in descending order on the label.
Track gross income
Add up gross income from product sales through the year so you can see how close you are to $60,000.
Call if you are unsure
The Food Safety Branch number is (502) 564-7181.
None of this has to be a maze. Start with the state page, confirm your product and your label, and keep your sales numbers current. That gives you a clean start for selling baked goods from your home kitchen in Kentucky.
Common questions
Do I need a license to sell cottage food in Kentucky?
Yes. Kentucky's cottage food rules require a license. Registration for home-based processors in Kentucky is ongoing, and the state page covers registration, allowed products, selling methods, operating standards, and labels.
How much can I sell under Kentucky cottage food rules?
Kentucky caps annual cottage food sales at $60,000 in gross income per year from the sale of the products. The cap is written into the statutory definition of both paths under KRS 217.015.
What foods can I sell?
Kentucky's allowed foods include baked goods, dried fruit, candy, jams and jellies, and granola. Check the state page before you add a product that is not on the list.
What has to go on my label?
The label must include the name and address of the home-based processing operation, the common or usual name of the food product, and the ingredients listed in descending order.
Who can I call with questions?
The Food Safety Branch number is (502) 564-7181. The Cabinet for Health and Family Services home-based processing page also covers registration, allowed products, selling methods, operating standards, and labeling requirements.
Sources
General information, not legal or tax advice. Confirm current requirements with the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services before you sell.