Iowa Cottage Food Law
A complete guide to cottage food regulations in Iowa (IA) — revenue limits, allowed products, labeling, and permitting requirements.
Requirements & Restrictions
Permitting & Registration
- Food Handler Certification
- Not required
- Business License
- Not required
- State Registration
- Not required
Where You Can Sell
- direct sale from producer to consumer
- temporary food establishments (if operated by the producer and food is packaged and labeled)
Allowed Products
- non-temperature-controlled foods prepared in a private residence
- home-canned pickles (pH ≤4.60 or Aw ≤0.85, batch-tested)
- home-canned vegetables (pH ≤4.60 or Aw ≤0.85, batch-tested)
- home-canned fruits (pH ≤4.60 or Aw ≤0.85, batch-tested)
Prohibited Products
- any food that must be kept hot or cold for safety (TCS foods)
- milk or milk products regulated under Iowa Code Chapter 192
- meat or meat food products regulated under Iowa Code Chapter 189A
- poultry or poultry food products regulated under Iowa Code Chapter 189A
- unpasteurized fruit or vegetable juice
Labeling Requirements
The following information must appear on every cottage food product label sold in Iowa:
Required Disclaimer
This product was produced at a residential property that is exempt from state licensing and inspection.
Additional Notes
Iowa cottage food law (HF2431, 2022) exempts qualifying foods from licensing and inspection entirely — no annual revenue cap is stated for cottage foods. The label must include the producer's name AND at least one of: address, phone number, or email address. Allergen labeling is required only if the food contains one or more major allergens. Home-canned pickles, vegetables, or fruits are permitted only if: (1) pH ≤4.60 or water activity ≤0.85, (2) each batch is measured by a pH or Aw meter, (3) each container is labeled with the production/canning date, and (4) producer provides documentation to the regulatory authority upon request at point of sale. A separate Home Food Processing Establishment (HFPE) license ($50/yr) is available for producers who want to sell through retail businesses or exceed cottage food scope; HFPE gross sales cannot exceed $50,000 annually and require food safety training. Farmers markets are explicitly listed as a venue where cottage foods may be sold (under the temporary food establishment provision operated by the producer).
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the annual revenue limit for cottage food businesses in Iowa?
- Iowa does not impose a stated annual revenue limit on cottage food producers.
- Do I need a food handler certification to sell cottage food in Iowa?
- No. Iowa does not require a food handler certification for cottage food producers.
- Is a business license required for cottage food sales in Iowa?
- No. Iowa does not require a business license to operate a cottage food business.
- Does Iowa require cottage food producers to register with the state?
- No. Iowa does not require cottage food producers to register with a state agency.
- Where can I legally sell cottage food products in Iowa?
- In Iowa, cottage food products may be sold at: direct sale from producer to consumer, temporary food establishments (if operated by the producer and food is packaged and labeled).
- What allergen labeling standard applies to cottage food in Iowa?
- Iowa follows the FDA Big Nine allergen standard for cottage food labeling.
- What products are allowed under Iowa cottage food law?
- The following product categories are permitted for cottage food production in Iowa: non-temperature-controlled foods prepared in a private residence, home-canned pickles (pH ≤4.60 or Aw ≤0.85, batch-tested), home-canned vegetables (pH ≤4.60 or Aw ≤0.85, batch-tested), home-canned fruits (pH ≤4.60 or Aw ≤0.85, batch-tested).
- What products are prohibited under Iowa cottage food law?
- The following products may not be sold under Iowa's cottage food exemption: any food that must be kept hot or cold for safety (TCS foods), milk or milk products regulated under Iowa Code Chapter 192, meat or meat food products regulated under Iowa Code Chapter 189A, poultry or poultry food products regulated under Iowa Code Chapter 189A, unpasteurized fruit or vegetable juice.