Idaho Cottage Food Law
A complete guide to cottage food regulations in Idaho (ID) — 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
- farm stands
- farms
- ranches
- producer's home
- via designated agent (cooperative market, consignment model market, or other entity)
Allowed Products
- hermetically sealed butters, jams, jellies, marmalades, preserves, and syrups (shelf-stable)
- fermented food products
- tallow
- lard
- fruit leathers, pies, and turnovers
- chocolates, candies, and confectioneries that do not need to be refrigerated
- nonalcoholic drinks that do not need to be refrigerated
- milk and dairy products that do not need to be refrigerated
- nut mixes
- granola
- dry soup mixes (excluding meat-based soup mixes)
- roasted coffee beans
- nonalcoholic drinks including coffee, lemonade, tea, and soda (perishable)
- chocolate, candies, and confectioneries (perishable)
- condiments and sauces
- fruits and vegetables that remain uncut post-harvest
- milk and dairy products (perishable)
- eggs and egg products
- nut, seed, and fruit butters
- fresh and dehydrated pastas
- raw doughs
- regular and sugar-free butters, jams, jellies, marmalades, preserves, and syrups (perishable)
- baked goods that include frosting or filling made from animal products or other perishable ingredients
- meat products produced pursuant to this chapter
- cooked vegetables
- pickled products
Prohibited Products
- meat-based soup mixes
- food prepared, cooked, or served on-site for immediate consumption
- restaurant-style food service
- alcoholic drinks
Labeling Requirements
The following information must appear on every cottage food product label sold in Idaho:
Required Disclaimer
This product is not subject to government food safety inspection or licensing requirements. It may contain allergens.
Additional Notes
Idaho's cottage food rules were replaced effective March 20, 2026, by Senate Bill 1283 (Session Law Chapter 91), which created the Idaho Direct-to-Consumer Commerce Act (IDCCA), Title 37, Chapter 2, Idaho Code. This new law significantly expands what was previously allowed under IDAPA 16.02.19 by permitting both shelf-stable AND perishable foods (including meat, dairy, eggs, perishable baked goods, and beverages) for direct-to-consumer sale. No annual revenue cap is stated in the Act. No license, permit, or registration is required. The labeling/notification requirement applies when the product contains two or more ingredients — in that case a list of ingredients must be included alongside the disclaimer, producer name, and contact information. The notification may be delivered via a conspicuously displayed sign, a label affixed to the product, or a card given to the consumer. 'Contact information' is required but the specific form (email, phone, address) is not specified in the Act. Sales outside Idaho may require FDA approval; wholesale operations are NOT exempted. Producers may use a designated agent (named in writing) who cannot take ownership of products. 'Homemade' excludes restaurant-style food service, mobile food units, and concession trailers.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the annual revenue limit for cottage food businesses in Idaho?
- Idaho does not impose a stated annual revenue limit on cottage food producers.
- Do I need a food handler certification to sell cottage food in Idaho?
- No. Idaho does not require a food handler certification for cottage food producers.
- Is a business license required for cottage food sales in Idaho?
- No. Idaho does not require a business license to operate a cottage food business.
- Does Idaho require cottage food producers to register with the state?
- No. Idaho does not require cottage food producers to register with a state agency.
- Where can I legally sell cottage food products in Idaho?
- In Idaho, cottage food products may be sold at: farm stands, farms, ranches, producer's home, via designated agent (cooperative market, consignment model market, or other entity).
- What allergen labeling standard applies to cottage food in Idaho?
- Idaho follows the CUSTOM for cottage food labeling.
- What products are allowed under Idaho cottage food law?
- The following product categories are permitted for cottage food production in Idaho: hermetically sealed butters, jams, jellies, marmalades, preserves, and syrups (shelf-stable), fermented food products, tallow, lard, fruit leathers, pies, and turnovers, chocolates, candies, and confectioneries that do not need to be refrigerated, nonalcoholic drinks that do not need to be refrigerated, milk and dairy products that do not need to be refrigerated, nut mixes, granola, dry soup mixes (excluding meat-based soup mixes), roasted coffee beans, nonalcoholic drinks including coffee, lemonade, tea, and soda (perishable), chocolate, candies, and confectioneries (perishable), condiments and sauces, fruits and vegetables that remain uncut post-harvest, milk and dairy products (perishable), eggs and egg products, nut, seed, and fruit butters, fresh and dehydrated pastas, raw doughs, regular and sugar-free butters, jams, jellies, marmalades, preserves, and syrups (perishable), baked goods that include frosting or filling made from animal products or other perishable ingredients, meat products produced pursuant to this chapter, cooked vegetables, pickled products.
- What products are prohibited under Idaho cottage food law?
- The following products may not be sold under Idaho's cottage food exemption: meat-based soup mixes, food prepared, cooked, or served on-site for immediate consumption, restaurant-style food service, alcoholic drinks.