Georgia Cottage Food Law
A complete guide to cottage food regulations in Georgia (GA) — revenue limits, allowed products, labeling, and permitting requirements.
Requirements & Restrictions
Permitting & Registration
- Food Handler Certification
- Required
- Business License
- Not required
- State Registration
- Not required
Where You Can Sell
- direct-to-consumer sales
- online sales
- mail order
- retail food sales establishments
- grocery stores
- restaurants
- convenience stores
- third-party vendors
- nonprofit events
- for-profit events
Allowed Products
- loaf breads
- rolls
- biscuits
- cakes (except those whose fillings require refrigeration or have high moisture content)
- jams
- jellies
- preserves (except fruit butters when commercial sterility may be affected by reduced sugar or pectin levels)
- uncut fruits and vegetables
- dried fruits
- dry herbs, seasonings, and mixtures
- cereals
- trail mixes
- granola
- coated nuts
- uncoated nuts
- vinegars
- flavored vinegars
- dill pickles
- confections
- fudge
- dry soup mixes
- roasted coffee beans
- dry pasta
- popcorn
- popcorn balls
- cotton candy
- pastries and cookies
Prohibited Products
- alcoholic beverages
- foods containing cannabis
- raw milk
- potentially hazardous foods (foods requiring temperature control for safety)
- meat (beef, pork, lamb)
- poultry (chicken, turkey, duck)
- fish
- shellfish and crustaceans
- eggs
- milk and dairy products
- cooked plant-based foods (e.g., cooked rice, beans, or vegetables)
- baked potatoes
- mushrooms
- raw sprouts
- tofu and soy-protein foods
- untreated garlic and oil mixtures
Labeling Requirements
The following information must appear on every cottage food product label sold in Georgia:
Required Disclaimer
This product was produced at a residential property that is exempt from st[ate commercial food regulations or inspection]
Additional Notes
HB 398, signed May 13, 2025 and effective July 1, 2025, significantly updated Georgia cottage food law (OCGA 26-2-470 et seq.): (1) Removed the GDA licensing requirement and annual $100 fee — no state license or registration is now required; (2) Expanded sales to include retail food sales establishments (grocery stores, restaurants, convenience stores) in addition to direct-to-consumer and online/mail-order sales; (3) Cottage food operators may request a GDA Identification Number to use on labels in lieu of a physical address. (4) Food safety training: The GDA cottage food webpage still states that operators must complete an ANSI-accredited food safety training program (Food Handler level acceptable); this requirement predates HB398 and GDA's revised regulations were pending as of the HB398 FAQ date. (5) Local governments may 'opt out' by ordinance to prohibit cottage food sales through third-party vendors within their jurisdiction, but cannot otherwise directly regulate cottage food. Local business licensing and zoning requirements still apply. (6) Retail food sales establishments selling cottage food must post GDA-specified signage indicating cottage food products are not subject to commercial food regulations or inspection. (7) Disclaimer label text was truncated in source PDF at 'exempt from st' — full statutory text from OCGA 26-2-473(a)(2) reads: 'This product was produced at a residential property that is exempt from state commercial food regulations or inspection.' (8) No annual revenue or sales cap exists — GDA FAQ explicitly states no limits on gross sales or units produced. (9) Prior regulations at Rule 40-7-19 were under revision as of July 2025 to conform with HB398; amended regulations had not yet been published as of the HB398 FAQ. (10) Bake sales affiliated with nonprofit, charitable, or religious organizations are exempt from HB398 requirements entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the annual revenue limit for cottage food businesses in Georgia?
- Georgia does not impose a stated annual revenue limit on cottage food producers.
- Do I need a food handler certification to sell cottage food in Georgia?
- Yes. Georgia requires cottage food producers to hold a valid food handler certification.
- Is a business license required for cottage food sales in Georgia?
- No. Georgia does not require a business license to operate a cottage food business.
- Does Georgia require cottage food producers to register with the state?
- No. Georgia does not require cottage food producers to register with a state agency.
- Where can I legally sell cottage food products in Georgia?
- In Georgia, cottage food products may be sold at: direct-to-consumer sales, online sales, mail order, retail food sales establishments, grocery stores, restaurants, convenience stores, third-party vendors, nonprofit events, for-profit events.
- What allergen labeling standard applies to cottage food in Georgia?
- Georgia follows the FDA Big Nine allergen standard for cottage food labeling.
- What products are allowed under Georgia cottage food law?
- The following product categories are permitted for cottage food production in Georgia: loaf breads, rolls, biscuits, cakes (except those whose fillings require refrigeration or have high moisture content), jams, jellies, preserves (except fruit butters when commercial sterility may be affected by reduced sugar or pectin levels), uncut fruits and vegetables, dried fruits, dry herbs, seasonings, and mixtures, cereals, trail mixes, granola, coated nuts, uncoated nuts, vinegars, flavored vinegars, dill pickles, confections, fudge, dry soup mixes, roasted coffee beans, dry pasta, popcorn, popcorn balls, cotton candy, pastries and cookies.
- What products are prohibited under Georgia cottage food law?
- The following products may not be sold under Georgia's cottage food exemption: alcoholic beverages, foods containing cannabis, raw milk, potentially hazardous foods (foods requiring temperature control for safety), meat (beef, pork, lamb), poultry (chicken, turkey, duck), fish, shellfish and crustaceans, eggs, milk and dairy products, cooked plant-based foods (e.g., cooked rice, beans, or vegetables), baked potatoes, mushrooms, raw sprouts, tofu and soy-protein foods, untreated garlic and oil mixtures.