Connecticut Cottage Food Law
A complete guide to cottage food regulations in Connecticut (CT) — revenue limits, allowed products, labeling, and permitting requirements.
Requirements & Restrictions
Permitting & Registration
- Food Handler Certification
- Required
- Business License
- Required
- State Registration
- Required — Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP)
Where You Can Sell
- Direct sale to consumers
- Farmers markets
- Home delivery
Allowed Products
- Loaf breads, rolls and biscuits (plain, unstuffed)
- Non-potentially hazardous cakes including celebration cakes (e.g. birthday cake, but not cheesecake)
- Non-potentially hazardous pastries and cookies
- Candies and confections
- Fruit pies (not pumpkin)
- Jams, jellies and preserves (must meet the Standard of Identity in 21CFR150)
- Dehydrated fruits and vegetables
- Dehydrated Sourdough Starter
- Dried fruits and fruit leathers
- Dry herbs, seasonings and mixtures
- Non-potentially hazardous cereals, trail mixes and granola
- Coated or uncoated nuts
- Vinegar and flavored vinegars
- Popcorn and popcorn balls
- Cotton candy
- Brownies
- Chocolates
- Cake pops
- Dry tea and coffee
- Dried pasta (no egg)
- Freeze dried candy
- Freeze dried fruits and vegetables
- Fudge
- Roasted whole bean coffee or ground coffee
Prohibited Products
- Pickled Vegetables
- Hot sauce
- Apple sauce
- Beverages
- Ice cream
- Fire ciders
- Acidified foods
- Dehydrated meat and poultry products
- Fresh fruit or vegetables
- Chocolate covered fruit
- Pepper jams
- Mango jams
- Salsa
- Relishes
- Soups
- Syrups
- Extracts
- Whipped cream frosting
- Cream cheese frosting
- Buttercream frosting
- Elderberry syrup
- Flan and tres leche cakes
- Candy or caramel covered fruit
- Infused oils
- Apple cider
- Fruit butters (e.g. apple butter, pumpkin butter)
- Cooked vegetable products (e.g. salsas, tomato sauces, spaghetti sauces, focaccia bread with roasted vegetables)
- Pumpkin pie
- Cheesecake
- Meat and poultry products
Labeling Requirements
The following information must appear on every cottage food product label sold in Connecticut:
Required Disclaimer
Made in a Cottage Food Operation that is not Subject to Routine Government Food Safety Inspection.
Additional Notes
1. Annual revenue limit: The CT DCP FAQ page references a maximum sales limit; the figure of $50,000 gross annual sales is cited in an official legislative summary (Vermont legislature comparative document, March 2025) referencing Connecticut's rules, but the exact dollar figure was not extracted directly from the CT DCP .gov text retrieved — verify against the DCP FAQ page at portal.ct.gov/dcp/cottage-foods. 2. License required: Cottage Food Operators must apply for a Cottage Food Operator (CFO) license through DCP; $50 application fee applies. 3. Food safety training: A food handler course from a DCP-approved organization is required before applying; certificate must be current and not expired. 4. Water testing: Private/well water supplies must be tested within 12 months of application (must include E. coli, Total Coliform, Nitrates, and Nitrites). 5. Local zoning: Operators must obtain written confirmation of local zoning compliance before applying; some towns require additional zoning permits. 6. Products must be approved during the application process; the accepted and prohibited product lists are not exhaustive and are subject to change. 7. Products may not be shipped; the transaction must occur in Connecticut and must be a direct, person-to-person sale. 8. Disclaimer statement must be printed in at least 10-point type. 9. Net weight/volume must include metric equivalent. 10. Ingredients must be listed in descending order of predominance by weight, including sub-ingredients of any prepared/packaged items used. 11. Business name and address (city, state, zip) are required on the label. 12. Products may only be produced in the home kitchen (private residential dwelling); sheds and barns are not permitted.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the annual revenue limit for cottage food businesses in Connecticut?
- Connecticut cottage food producers may earn up to $50,000 per year from cottage food sales.
- Do I need a food handler certification to sell cottage food in Connecticut?
- Yes. Connecticut requires cottage food producers to hold a valid food handler certification.
- Is a business license required for cottage food sales in Connecticut?
- Yes. Cottage food producers in Connecticut are required to obtain a business license.
- Does Connecticut require cottage food producers to register with the state?
- Yes. Connecticut requires cottage food businesses to register with Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP).
- Where can I legally sell cottage food products in Connecticut?
- In Connecticut, cottage food products may be sold at: Direct sale to consumers, Farmers markets, Home delivery.
- What allergen labeling standard applies to cottage food in Connecticut?
- Connecticut follows the FDA Big Nine allergen standard for cottage food labeling.
- What products are allowed under Connecticut cottage food law?
- The following product categories are permitted for cottage food production in Connecticut: Loaf breads, rolls and biscuits (plain, unstuffed), Non-potentially hazardous cakes including celebration cakes (e.g. birthday cake, but not cheesecake), Non-potentially hazardous pastries and cookies, Candies and confections, Fruit pies (not pumpkin), Jams, jellies and preserves (must meet the Standard of Identity in 21CFR150), Dehydrated fruits and vegetables, Dehydrated Sourdough Starter, Dried fruits and fruit leathers, Dry herbs, seasonings and mixtures, Non-potentially hazardous cereals, trail mixes and granola, Coated or uncoated nuts, Vinegar and flavored vinegars, Popcorn and popcorn balls, Cotton candy, Brownies, Chocolates, Cake pops, Dry tea and coffee, Dried pasta (no egg), Freeze dried candy, Freeze dried fruits and vegetables, Fudge, Roasted whole bean coffee or ground coffee.
- What products are prohibited under Connecticut cottage food law?
- The following products may not be sold under Connecticut's cottage food exemption: Pickled Vegetables, Hot sauce, Apple sauce, Beverages, Ice cream, Fire ciders, Acidified foods, Dehydrated meat and poultry products, Fresh fruit or vegetables, Chocolate covered fruit, Pepper jams, Mango jams, Salsa, Relishes, Soups, Syrups, Extracts, Whipped cream frosting, Cream cheese frosting, Buttercream frosting, Elderberry syrup, Flan and tres leche cakes, Candy or caramel covered fruit, Infused oils, Apple cider, Fruit butters (e.g. apple butter, pumpkin butter), Cooked vegetable products (e.g. salsas, tomato sauces, spaghetti sauces, focaccia bread with roasted vegetables), Pumpkin pie, Cheesecake, Meat and poultry products.