Alaska Cottage Food Law
A complete guide to cottage food regulations in Alaska (AK) — revenue limits, allowed products, labeling, and permitting requirements.
Requirements & Restrictions
Permitting & Registration
- Food Handler Certification
- Not required
- Business License
- Required
- State Registration
- Not required
Where You Can Sell
- farmers markets
- direct to consumer
- through and agent for non-potentially hazardous
- can be on retail shelves with restrictions
Allowed Products
- non-potentially hazardous foods
- potentially hazardous foods with specific selling requirements
- eggs
Prohibited Products
- Meat
- Poultry
- Fish
- Shellfish
- Game
- Reindeer
- Controlled substances
Labeling Requirements
The following information must appear on every cottage food product label sold in Alaska:
Required Disclaimer
A specific disclaimer is not required, but it must state that the unpackaged homemade food was prepared in accordance with AS 17.20.332 - 17.20.338 and is not subject to certain state certification, labeling, licensing, packaging, regulation, or inspection requirements; and
Additional Notes
Alaska refers to cottage food as 'homemade food,' defined as non-potentially hazardous (NPH) foods produced in a home or leased kitchen and sold without a DEC permit if certain conditions are met. Packaged homemade food must be clearly and prominently labeled with: producer's name, current address, telephone number, business license number, and the required disclaimer statement. The allergen statement on the disclaimer is general ('may contain allergens') rather than a specific allergen standard; the general food code labeling guide references the pre-2023 FALCPA 8-allergen standard. No annual revenue cap was identified in official sources. A DEC scoping process for cottage food regulation updates was underway (see dec.alaska.gov/eh/scoping-of-cottage-food-updates); any resulting regulatory changes with a future effective date are not reflected here. The DEC does not require a permit for homemade food sales, but a state business license number must appear on labels. Local jurisdictions, including cities and military installations, may have additional requirements. The Alaska Food Code (18 AAC 31) was amended effective May 11, 2025 (Register 254). Direct fetch of the DEC homemade food pages returned HTTP 403; labeling disclaimer text is sourced from the DEC FAQ page search snippet.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the annual revenue limit for cottage food businesses in Alaska?
- Alaska does not impose a stated annual revenue limit on cottage food producers.
- Do I need a food handler certification to sell cottage food in Alaska?
- No. Alaska does not require a food handler certification for cottage food producers.
- Is a business license required for cottage food sales in Alaska?
- Yes. Cottage food producers in Alaska are required to obtain a business license.
- Does Alaska require cottage food producers to register with the state?
- No. Alaska does not require cottage food producers to register with a state agency.
- Where can I legally sell cottage food products in Alaska?
- In Alaska, cottage food products may be sold at: farmers markets, direct to consumer, through and agent for non-potentially hazardous, can be on retail shelves with restrictions.
- What allergen labeling standard applies to cottage food in Alaska?
- Alaska follows the CUSTOM for cottage food labeling.
- What products are allowed under Alaska cottage food law?
- The following product categories are permitted for cottage food production in Alaska: non-potentially hazardous foods, potentially hazardous foods with specific selling requirements, eggs.
- What products are prohibited under Alaska cottage food law?
- The following products may not be sold under Alaska's cottage food exemption: Meat, Poultry, Fish, Shellfish, Game, Reindeer, Controlled substances.