Ohio Cottage Food Laws

Ohio lets people make a set list of shelf-stable foods in their homes and sell them without a food license as cottage food production operations. The list includes baked goods, jams, candy, granola and dry mixes. Ohio is unusual in letting licensed stores and restaurants sell or use cottage foods, but cottage foods may not be sold outside Ohio. This guide covers what you can sell, how you can sell, labeling and when you need a license instead.

Disclaimer: This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change, and local zoning, HOA and tax rules vary. Confirm current requirements with the Ohio Department of Agriculture, or ODA, Division of Food Safety, or with an attorney, before you start selling.

Quick facts

• A cottage food production operation is a person who makes non-potentially hazardous foods in his or her home. Ohio Rev. Code 3715.01(A)(19)
• Only the foods listed in the ODA rule may be made. Rules effective Jan. 22, 2016. Ohio Adm. Code 901:3-20-04; Ohio Adm. Code 901:3-20-05(E)
• Cottage food operations are not food processing establishments, so the state food processing license does not apply. Ohio Rev. Code 3715.021(A)(1)
• Labels must include "This product is home produced." in 10-point type. Ohio Rev. Code 3715.023(A)(5)
• Licensed retail food establishments and food service operations may sell properly labeled cottage foods or use them as ingredients. Ohio Rev. Code 3715.023(B); Ohio Adm. Code 901:3-20-02(B)
• Cottage foods may not be sold outside Ohio. Ohio Adm. Code 901:3-20-05(F)
• No sales cap or registration requirement was found in the statute or rules. Ohio Rev. Code 3715.025; Ohio Adm. Code chapter 901:3-20

What the law calls it

• Ohio uses "cottage food production operation." "Home bakery" is an everyday name, not this legal category. Ohio Rev. Code 3715.01(A)(19)

Foods you can sell

• Non-potentially hazardous bakery products; jams; jellies; candy, not including fresh fruit dipped in or combined with candy; flavored honey from an exempt beekeeper; fruit chutneys; fruit butters; granola and granola bars, with only commercially dried fruit; maple sugar from an exempt producer; popcorn, kettle corn, popcorn balls and caramel corn; unfilled baked doughnuts; waffle cones; pizzelles; dry cereal and nut snack mixes; roasted coffee; dry baking mixes in a jar; dry herbs and herb blends; dry soup mixes with commercially dried ingredients; dry seasoning blends; and dry tea blends. Ohio Adm. Code 901:3-20-04(A)

Foods you cannot sell

• Potentially hazardous foods, acidified foods and low-acid canned foods. Ohio Rev. Code 3715.025(A); Ohio Adm. Code 901:3-20-05(A)-(B)
• Any food not on the ODA list. Ohio Adm. Code 901:3-20-05(E)
• Products in reduced oxygen packaging, such as vacuum packs. Ohio Adm. Code 901:3-20-04(B)

Sales limit

• No sales cap was found in the statute or ODA rules. Ohio Rev. Code 3715.025; Ohio Adm. Code chapter 901:3-20

Where and how you can sell

• In person within Ohio: the statute and rules do not limit where cottage foods may be sold within the state. Ohio Adm. Code chapter 901:3-20
• Stores and restaurants: licensed retail food establishments and food service operations may sell labeled cottage foods or use them in food they serve. Ohio Rev. Code 3715.023(B)
• Online and mail: the statute and rules do not address them. Ask ODA before selling online or shipping within Ohio. Ohio Adm. Code chapter 901:3-20
• Out of state: not allowed. Ohio Adm. Code 901:3-20-05(F)

Labeling rules

• Each label must show: the name and address of the business; the name of the product; ingredients in descending order of predominance by weight; net weight and volume; and the statement "This product is home produced." in 10-point type. Ohio Rev. Code 3715.023(A)
• Labels must also meet federal food labeling rules in 21 CFR Part 101. Ohio Adm. Code 901:3-20-02(A)

Permits and training

• No ODA license is required for a cottage food operation that stays within the rules. Ohio Rev. Code 3715.021(A)(1)
• The statute and rules do not require food safety training. Ohio Adm. Code chapter 901:3-20

Zoning, HOAs and local rules

• State law does not address local zoning, business licenses or HOA covenants for cottage food. Check with your city or township and HOA. Ohio Adm. Code chapter 901:3-20

Inspections and sampling

• Cottage foods are subject to sampling by ODA to check for misbranding or adulteration, and operators may not refuse sampling. Ohio Adm. Code 901:3-20-03; Ohio Adm. Code 901:3-20-05(D)

When you need a license instead

• Potentially hazardous foods, acidified and low-acid canned foods and foods not on the list must be made under an ODA food processing license or another applicable license. Ohio Rev. Code 3715.021; Ohio Adm. Code 901:3-20-05
• Bakers who want to sell refrigerated baked goods such as cheesecake, cream pies or pumpkin pie can get a Home Bakery license from ODA for $10 a year, with an inspection. ODA Home Bakery; Ohio Rev. Code 911

Timeline

• June 22, 2009: the first ODA cottage food rules take effect. Ohio Adm. Code 901:3-20-01
• Sept. 10, 2012: the current version of 3715.025 takes effect under HB 487. Ohio Rev. Code 3715.025
• Jan. 22, 2016: the current ODA rules take effect. Ohio Adm. Code 901:3-20-04
• Oct. 13, 2026: this page was last reviewed against the Ohio Revised Code and Administrative Code.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a license to sell cottage food in Ohio?

No. Cottage food operations are excluded from the food processing establishment license. Source: Ohio Rev. Code 3715.021(A)(1).

What foods can I sell under Ohio's cottage food law?

Only the 20 categories ODA lists, such as non-potentially hazardous baked goods, jams, jellies, candy, granola and dry mixes. Source: Ohio Adm. Code 901:3-20-04(A).

Is there a sales cap in Ohio?

No sales cap was found in the statute or ODA rules. Source: Ohio Adm. Code chapter 901:3-20.

Can I sell cottage food to stores and restaurants in Ohio?

Yes. Licensed retail food establishments and food service operations may sell or use properly labeled cottage foods. Source: Ohio Rev. Code 3715.023(B).

Can I sell cottage food online in Ohio?

The statute and rules do not address online sales, but sales outside Ohio are banned. Ask ODA before selling online. Source: Ohio Adm. Code 901:3-20-05(F).

Can I ship cottage food to other states?

No. Cottage food operations may not sell products outside Ohio. Source: Ohio Adm. Code 901:3-20-05(F).

What does an Ohio cottage food label need?

Business name and address, product name, ingredients by weight, net weight and volume and "This product is home produced." in 10-point type. Source: Ohio Rev. Code 3715.023(A).

Can I sell cheesecake or cream pies?

No. Potentially hazardous foods are banned. Source: Ohio Rev. Code 3715.025(A).

Can I sell canned salsa or pickles?

No. Acidified and low-acid canned foods are banned. Source: Ohio Adm. Code 901:3-20-05(B).

Will ODA inspect me?

ODA may sample cottage foods for misbranding or adulteration, and operators may not refuse. Source: Ohio Adm. Code 901:3-20-03.

Official sources

• Ohio Rev. Code 3715.01
• Ohio Rev. Code 3715.021
• Ohio Rev. Code 3715.023
• Ohio Rev. Code 3715.025
• Ohio Adm. Code chapter 901:3-20
• ODA Home Bakery

This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change, and local zoning, HOA and tax rules vary. Confirm current requirements with the Ohio Department of Agriculture, or ODA, Division of Food Safety, or with an attorney, before you start selling.