OH Cottage food law
Ohio cottage food law
Ohio cottage food rules (ORC Chapter 3715; OAC Chapter 901:3-20). Administered by Ohio Department of Agriculture, Division of Food Safety.
- Permit
- No. Cottage food production operations are exempt from ODA licensing and inspection, though products can be sampled for misbranding or adulteration.
- Sales cap
- No sales cap is stated by ODA.
- Where you can sell
- Only in Ohio: from the home, grocery stores, registered farm markets, farmers markets, restaurants (for resale or use in their food), and festivals organized by a political subdivision lasting no more than seven consecutive days.
Confirm with Ohio Department of Agriculture, Division of Food Safety. This is a summary of the official guidance listed under Sources, checked September 29, 2026. Official page
What you can make
Non-potentially hazardous bakery products, candy, jams, jellies, fruit butters, granola, popcorn, unfilled baked donuts, waffle cones, pizzelles, dry snack mixes, roasted coffee, dry baking mixes, dry herbs and seasoning blends, dry tea blends, fruit chutney, dry soup mixes and a few others on ODA's list. The home may have only one household stove or oven.
What you can't
Acidified foods, low-acid canned foods, potentially hazardous foods (e.g., cheesecakes, pumpkin, custard and cream pies, cooked vegetables, garlic in oil), and anything not on the list.
Label requirements
- Name of the food
- Net weight in U.S. and metric units
- Ingredients in descending order by weight, with sub-ingredients
- Major food allergens declared
- Business name and address
- "This Product is Home Produced" in 10-point type
Outgrowing your home kitchen
We don't have Ohio kitchen listings yet. If you run a commercial kitchen that rents time, add it for free.
Questions people ask
Do I need a permit to sell food from home in Ohio?
No. Cottage food production operations are exempt from ODA licensing and inspection, though products can be sampled for misbranding or adulteration.
How much can I sell under Ohio's cottage food law?
No sales cap is stated by ODA.
Where can I sell cottage food in Ohio?
Only in Ohio: from the home, grocery stores, registered farm markets, farmers markets, restaurants (for resale or use in their food), and festivals organized by a political subdivision lasting no more than seven consecutive days.
What happens when I outgrow the cottage food law?
If you pass the sales cap or want to make foods the law excludes, you'll need a licensed kitchen. Renting time in a shared commercial kitchen is the usual next step.
Sources
- Cottage Foods (Ohio Department of Agriculture), April 4, 2018
Last checked September 29, 2026.