Florida Cottage Food Laws
Everything home food sellers in Florida need to know to legally sell food from home — permit requirements, sales limits, allowed foods, labeling, and sales channels.
Florida's cottage food law is among the most generous in the country: a $250,000 annual sales cap, no permit, no inspection, and direct online sales with shipping allowed within the state.
If you live in Florida and want to sell baked goods, candies, jams, or dry mixes from home, you can start selling today with nothing more than a label and a phone.
Registration & permit steps
- Confirm your product is on Florida's allowed cottage food list.
- Register a business name and get a sales tax certificate from the Florida Department of Revenue if applicable.
- Design labels that meet Florida's cottage food labeling rules.
- Set up a way to take orders — preorder + pickup is the cleanest model.
- Start selling: no FDACS permit, no inspection, no fees.
Allowed foods
- Baked goods that don't require refrigeration (cookies, breads, muffins, biscotti)
- Candies, chocolates, and confections
- Jams, jellies, and preserves (high-acid fruits)
- Dry goods (granola, trail mix, dry herb blends, popcorn)
- Roasted coffee beans and dry tea blends
- Dried pasta and dehydrated foods
Prohibited foods
- Foods that require refrigeration (cream-filled pastries, cheesecake, custard pies)
- Meat, poultry, and seafood products
- Low-acid canned goods (canned vegetables, salsa in some states)
- Dairy products such as fresh milk, butter, or soft cheeses
Labeling requirements
- Name and address of the cottage food operation
- Common name of the product
- Complete ingredient list in descending order by weight
- Allergen disclosure (milk, eggs, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, sesame)
- Net weight or volume
- A disclaimer such as "Made in a home kitchen that is not subject to state inspection"
- The Florida disclaimer must read: "Made in a cottage food operation that is not subject to Florida's food safety regulations."
- Florida cottage food can be sold online and shipped within Florida (one of the few states that allows this).
Allowed sales channels
- Direct in-person sales to consumers
- Farmers markets and community events
- Online ordering with local pickup or hand delivery
- Roadside stands and home-based pickup
Important restrictions
- No wholesale sales to restaurants or grocery stores
- Sales typically limited to in-state customers only
- Mail order or interstate shipping is usually not allowed
- Cannot operate as a retail food establishment from your home
Official state resource
Always verify the current law with the official Florida agency before launching. Laws change.
This page is editorial content for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Confirm requirements with Florida's Department of Health, Department of Agriculture, or a licensed attorney.