Kansas Cottage Food Law
A complete guide to cottage food regulations in Kansas (KS) — 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
- farmers' markets
- craft fairs
- bazaars
- fairs
- internet sales (including shipping)
- direct-to-consumer at similar locations
Allowed Products
- cookies
- breads
- cakes
- cinnamon rolls
- fruit pies
- fresh fruits and vegetables
- nuts
- honey
- traditional jams and jellies
- chocolate candies
- ungraded eggs (producers with less than 250 hens and storing eggs below 45°)
Prohibited Products
- Cream or meringue pies
- Cheesecake
- Custards
- Cream filled cupcakes/donuts
- Hamburger and hot dogs
- Burritos
- Egg rolls
- Jerky
- Summer sausage or similar products
- Cut melons
- Canned vegetables
- Pickles
- Alfalfa sprouts
- Cut or torn lettuce
- Cut tomatoes
- home-canned products (except traditional jams and jellies) without proper licensing
- foods requiring time and temperature control for safety (without a food establishment license)
- foods requiring specialized processing (without a food establishment license)
Labeling Requirements
The following information must appear on every cottage food product label sold in Kansas:
Additional Notes
Kansas does not use the term 'cottage food law' in statute; the exemption is found in K.S.A. 65-689(d)(4), which exempts from food establishment licensing any person who produces food for distribution directly to the end consumer if the food does not require time and temperature control for safety or specialized processing. No annual revenue cap is stated. Labeling requirement per official KDA guidance: packaged products must be labeled with the common name of the product and the name and address of the producer. The MF3138 guidance (revised January 2026) additionally clarifies that nine common food allergens must be named in plain language on labels. Internet/online sales including shipping are explicitly allowed under the license exemption, subject to the receiving state's requirements. Home-canned products other than traditional jams and jellies are prohibited without a food establishment license. Chocolate candies were added to the no-license-required list in the January 2026 guidance revision. Exempt sellers are not exempt from inspection or regulation if a violation is observed or reported (K.S.A. 65-689(e)).
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the annual revenue limit for cottage food businesses in Kansas?
- Kansas does not impose a stated annual revenue limit on cottage food producers.
- Do I need a food handler certification to sell cottage food in Kansas?
- No. Kansas does not require a food handler certification for cottage food producers.
- Is a business license required for cottage food sales in Kansas?
- No. Kansas does not require a business license to operate a cottage food business.
- Does Kansas require cottage food producers to register with the state?
- No. Kansas does not require cottage food producers to register with a state agency.
- Where can I legally sell cottage food products in Kansas?
- In Kansas, cottage food products may be sold at: farmers' markets, craft fairs, bazaars, fairs, internet sales (including shipping), direct-to-consumer at similar locations.
- What allergen labeling standard applies to cottage food in Kansas?
- Kansas follows the FDA Big Nine allergen standard for cottage food labeling.
- What products are allowed under Kansas cottage food law?
- The following product categories are permitted for cottage food production in Kansas: cookies, breads, cakes, cinnamon rolls, fruit pies, fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, honey, traditional jams and jellies, chocolate candies, ungraded eggs (producers with less than 250 hens and storing eggs below 45°).
- What products are prohibited under Kansas cottage food law?
- The following products may not be sold under Kansas's cottage food exemption: Cream or meringue pies, Cheesecake, Custards, Cream filled cupcakes/donuts, Hamburger and hot dogs, Burritos, Egg rolls, Jerky, Summer sausage or similar products, Cut melons, Canned vegetables, Pickles, Alfalfa sprouts, Cut or torn lettuce, Cut tomatoes, home-canned products (except traditional jams and jellies) without proper licensing, foods requiring time and temperature control for safety (without a food establishment license), foods requiring specialized processing (without a food establishment license).