Cottage food rules
Illinois Cottage Food Laws: What Home Bakers Need to Know
A plain walk through what Illinois asks of you before you sell a single bake from your kitchen.
On this page
What to remember
- Illinois defines a cottage food operation as a person who produces or packages non-potentially hazardous food.
- Register with the local health department in the area where your operation resides before you sell.
- You, and anyone who helps prepare or package the food, need the Certified Food Protection Manager certification.
- Sell direct to the customer only, never for resale or in a retail food establishment.
- Every item must be prepackaged and labeled with the common or usual name of the food product.
If you are just starting out, the paperwork can feel like a lot. It helps to think of it as three habits: register, label, and sell direct. The home bakery license requirements guide covers the general shape of these rules, and this page covers what is specific to Illinois.
What counts as cottage food in Illinois
Illinois statute defines a cottage food operation as a person who produces or packages non-potentially hazardous food. Some products, such as canned tomatoes and acidified and fermented foods, carry additional food safety requirements under Illinois cottage food rules, so check before you add them to your list.
Register before you take your first order
A cottage food operation must register with the local health department in the area where the cottage food operation resides. Your local health department may also require you to submit a recipe for testing, at your own expense, so build that into your timeline before a big event.
Check that your bakes fit
Illinois cottage food covers non-potentially hazardous food. Canned tomatoes, acidified foods, and fermented foods have extra food safety requirements.
Register with your local health department
Register in the area where your cottage food operation resides. Do this before you start selling.
Get your food protection certificate
All cottage food operators, and anyone helping to prepare or package the food products, must have completed the Certified Food Protection Manager certification.
Label every package
Cottage food must be prepackaged and labeled, and the label must include the common or usual name of the food product.
Keep your sales direct
Sell directly to consumers, whether it is you, a family member, or an employee handing over the box. Not for resale, and not in retail food establishments.
Labeling and the food protection certificate
Cottage food must be prepackaged and labeled, and the label must include the common or usual name of the food product. The certificate requirement is broader than most bakers expect: all cottage food operators, and anyone helping to prepare or package the food products, must have completed the Certified Food Protection Manager certification. If a friend or your teenager helps you box up a Saturday order, that is worth knowing.
Selling direct, and keeping it simple
Sales can be made directly to consumers by the owner, a family member, or an employee, but the food may not be sold for resale or in retail food establishments. That shapes who you say yes to, so think through your regulars before you promise a coffee shop a standing order. If you want the wider picture of selling from home, the home bakery license online guide is a good next read. When you are ready to compare ways to take orders, this home bakery app roundup is a fair place to start.
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Rules change and every local health department runs its own office, so a quick call to yours is worth more than any page online, this one included. Get the answer in writing if you can, and keep it with your records.
Common questions
Do I need a license to sell bakes from my kitchen in Illinois?
You need to register with the local health department in the area where your cottage food operation resides. Your local health department can tell you what it asks for beyond that.
Can I sell my bakes to a cafe or shop so they can resell them?
No. Illinois allows cottage food sales directly to consumers, but the food may not be sold for resale or in retail food establishments.
Who has to hold the food protection certificate?
All cottage food operators, plus anyone helping to prepare or package the food products, must have completed the Certified Food Protection Manager certification.
What has to be on my label?
Cottage food must be prepackaged and labeled, and the label must include the common or usual name of the food product.
Can a family member sell my bakes for me?
Yes. Sales directly to consumers can be made by the owner, a family member, or an employee.
Are some foods treated differently?
Yes. Products such as canned tomatoes and acidified and fermented foods have additional food safety requirements under Illinois cottage food rules.
Sources
This is general information, not legal advice. Cottage food rules can change, so confirm the details with your local health department before you sell.