Kentucky Cottage Food Law
A complete guide to cottage food regulations in Kentucky (KY) — revenue limits, allowed products, labeling, and permitting requirements.
Requirements & Restrictions
Permitting & Registration
- Food Handler Certification
- Not required
- Business License
- Not required
- State Registration
- Required — Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Food Safety Branch
Where You Can Sell
- home (pick-up by consumer)
- home (delivery to consumer)
- farmers market (non-permitted retail market)
- roadside stand
- community event
Allowed Products
- dried herbs
- spices
- nuts
- candy (produced without alcohol, made with no bare-hand contact)
- dried grains
- granola (may be made with dried grains)
- trail or snack mix (may be made with dried fruit, nuts or seeds)
- whole fruits and vegetables
- dried or freeze dried fruits and vegetables
- mixed greens
- jams and jellies (high-acid fruit only)
- sweet sorghum syrup
- maple syrup
- preserves
- fruit butter
- bread
- fruit pies
- pecan pies
- cakes
- cookies
- popcorn (plain or with added seasoning)
Prohibited Products
- low-acid jams and jellies
- low-sugar jams and jellies
- savory jams and jellies
- vegetable jams and jellies
- herb jams and jellies
- candy produced with alcohol
Labeling Requirements
The following information must appear on every cottage food product label sold in Kentucky:
Required Disclaimer
This product is home-produced and processed.
Additional Notes
Registration fee is $50 annually; registration period is April 1–March 31. Sellers may advertise, accept orders, and accept payments in person, electronically, or via internet or phone, but ALL items must be delivered in person directly to consumers within Kentucky — shipping is not permitted. Low-acid, low-sugar, savory, vegetable, and herb jams & jellies must instead go through the University of Kentucky Microprocessing program. Candy must be produced without alcohol and with no bare-hand contact. The allergen list (milk, eggs, wheat, soybean/soy, peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, fish, and shellfish) reflects the FDA Big 9 as stated in the labeling guide. Disclaimer statement must be printed in at least 10-point type in a color providing clear contrast to the background label. The date the product was processed must also appear on the label. Nutritional labeling is only required if a nutrient content claim or health claim is made. Governing law: KRS 217.136 and 902 KAR 45:090 (effective September 9, 2019, per House Bill 468 enacted March 27, 2019). Summary of Updates document last updated March 2021.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the annual revenue limit for cottage food businesses in Kentucky?
- Kentucky cottage food producers may earn up to $60,000 per year from cottage food sales.
- Do I need a food handler certification to sell cottage food in Kentucky?
- No. Kentucky does not require a food handler certification for cottage food producers.
- Is a business license required for cottage food sales in Kentucky?
- No. Kentucky does not require a business license to operate a cottage food business.
- Does Kentucky require cottage food producers to register with the state?
- Yes. Kentucky requires cottage food businesses to register with Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Food Safety Branch.
- Where can I legally sell cottage food products in Kentucky?
- In Kentucky, cottage food products may be sold at: home (pick-up by consumer), home (delivery to consumer), farmers market (non-permitted retail market), roadside stand, community event.
- What allergen labeling standard applies to cottage food in Kentucky?
- Kentucky follows the FDA Big Nine allergen standard for cottage food labeling.
- What products are allowed under Kentucky cottage food law?
- The following product categories are permitted for cottage food production in Kentucky: dried herbs, spices, nuts, candy (produced without alcohol, made with no bare-hand contact), dried grains, granola (may be made with dried grains), trail or snack mix (may be made with dried fruit, nuts or seeds), whole fruits and vegetables, dried or freeze dried fruits and vegetables, mixed greens, jams and jellies (high-acid fruit only), sweet sorghum syrup, maple syrup, preserves, fruit butter, bread, fruit pies, pecan pies, cakes, cookies, popcorn (plain or with added seasoning).
- What products are prohibited under Kentucky cottage food law?
- The following products may not be sold under Kentucky's cottage food exemption: low-acid jams and jellies, low-sugar jams and jellies, savory jams and jellies, vegetable jams and jellies, herb jams and jellies, candy produced with alcohol.