Illinois Cottage Food Law
A complete guide to cottage food regulations in Illinois (IL) — revenue limits, allowed products, labeling, and permitting requirements.
Requirements & Restrictions
Permitting & Registration
- Food Handler Certification
- Not required
- Business License
- Not required
- State Registration
- Required — Local health department for the unit of local government in which the cottage food operation is located
Where You Can Sell
- direct to consumers
- farmers markets
- mobile farmers markets
- online sales (direct to consumer, within Illinois)
- shipping within Illinois (non-TCS products only)
Allowed Products
- Non-prohibited items, see notes for details
Prohibited Products
- meat
- poultry
- fish
- seafood
- shellfish
- dairy (as standalone product, not as ingredient in non-TCS baked good, candy, or frosting)
- eggs (as standalone product, not as ingredient in non-TCS food or non-raw frosting)
- pumpkin pies
- sweet potato pies
- cheesecakes
- custard pies
- creme pies
- pastries with TCS fillings or toppings
- garlic in oil (unless acidified)
- oil infused with garlic (unless acidified)
- low-acid canned foods
- sprouts
- cut leafy greens (unless dehydrated, acidified, or blanched and frozen)
- cut or pureed fresh tomato
- cut or pureed fresh melon
- dehydrated tomato
- dehydrated melon
- frozen cut melon
- wild-harvested non-cultivated mushrooms
- alcoholic beverages
- kombucha
Labeling Requirements
The following information must appear on every cottage food product label sold in Illinois:
Required Disclaimer
On product: This product was produced in a home kitchen not inspected by a health department that may also process common allergens. If you have safety concerns, contact your local health department. At venues of sale: This product was produced in a home kitchen, not inspected by a health department, that may also process common food allergens On unpasteurized juice products: WARNING: This product has not been pasteurized and, therefore, may contain harmful bacteria that can cause serious illness in children, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems.
Additional Notes
1. No annual revenue cap is stated in the current compiled statute (410 ILCS 625/4); a prior $36,000 cap was removed by amendment. 2. Label must include: (a) common or usual name of food product; (b) all ingredients in descending order by weight; (c) major food allergens (milk, egg, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, sesame); (d) net weight; (e) date the product was processed; (f) registration number provided by the local health department; (g) name of the municipality or county in which registration was filed; (h) the verbatim disclaimer phrase. bakerIdentifier=true refers to the registration number requirement. 3. Sales to retail food establishments, restaurants, grocery stores, wholesalers, or third-party distributors for resale are prohibited; all sales must be direct to consumers within Illinois. 4. The 2024 Cottage Food Guide (IDPH-partnered) references a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) certification requirement; the compiled statute text obtained does not universally mandate it for all operators but the guide lists it as a topic — consult local health department for current CFPM requirements. 5. Dairy and eggs are only prohibited as standalone products; they are permitted as ingredients in non-TCS baked goods, candies, frostings, or dry noodles under the conditions specified in §(b)(1.5)(B) and (C). 6. Canned tomatoes and acidified/fermented products have additional safety plan or lab-testing requirements under §(b)(1.6) and §(b)(2). 7. The labeling PDF is dated December 26, 2025; the compiled statute reflects amendments through at least Public Act 102-0633 and subsequent updates. Additional requirements for ferments and canned items: lab tested recipes should be used, and if not a food safety plan must be submitted and the items may need to be tested through a verified lab.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the annual revenue limit for cottage food businesses in Illinois?
- Illinois does not impose a stated annual revenue limit on cottage food producers.
- Do I need a food handler certification to sell cottage food in Illinois?
- No. Illinois does not require a food handler certification for cottage food producers.
- Is a business license required for cottage food sales in Illinois?
- No. Illinois does not require a business license to operate a cottage food business.
- Does Illinois require cottage food producers to register with the state?
- Yes. Illinois requires cottage food businesses to register with Local health department for the unit of local government in which the cottage food operation is located.
- Where can I legally sell cottage food products in Illinois?
- In Illinois, cottage food products may be sold at: direct to consumers, farmers markets, mobile farmers markets, online sales (direct to consumer, within Illinois), shipping within Illinois (non-TCS products only).
- What allergen labeling standard applies to cottage food in Illinois?
- Illinois follows the FDA Big Nine allergen standard for cottage food labeling.
- What products are allowed under Illinois cottage food law?
- The following product categories are permitted for cottage food production in Illinois: Non-prohibited items, see notes for details.
- What products are prohibited under Illinois cottage food law?
- The following products may not be sold under Illinois's cottage food exemption: meat, poultry, fish, seafood, shellfish, dairy (as standalone product, not as ingredient in non-TCS baked good, candy, or frosting), eggs (as standalone product, not as ingredient in non-TCS food or non-raw frosting), pumpkin pies, sweet potato pies, cheesecakes, custard pies, creme pies, pastries with TCS fillings or toppings, garlic in oil (unless acidified), oil infused with garlic (unless acidified), low-acid canned foods, sprouts, cut leafy greens (unless dehydrated, acidified, or blanched and frozen), cut or pureed fresh tomato, cut or pureed fresh melon, dehydrated tomato, dehydrated melon, frozen cut melon, wild-harvested non-cultivated mushrooms, alcoholic beverages, kombucha.