New Jersey Cottage Food Law
A complete guide to cottage food regulations in New Jersey (NJ) — revenue limits, allowed products, labeling, and permitting requirements.
Requirements & Restrictions
Permitting & Registration
- Food Handler Certification
- Required
- Business License
- Not required
- State Registration
- Required — New Jersey Department of Health, Public Health and Food Protection Program
Where You Can Sell
- Direct to consumer from home kitchen
- Farmers markets (within New Jersey)
- Other direct-to-consumer points of sale within New Jersey
Allowed Products
- Non-potentially hazardous foods, see website for full list of approved items.
Prohibited Products
- Potentially hazardous foods, see website for full list of prohibited items.
- Prohibited ingredients:
- Cream
- Sour Cream
- Custard
- Puddings
- Vegan Custard
- Cheese
- Cream Cheese
- Meat
- Fish
- Vegetables (fresh, cooked, fried, or dried)
- Fresh Flowers
- Fresh Herbs
- Peppers
- Fresh Fruit
- Pumpkin
- Sweet Potato
- Yams
- Carrots
- Heat-Treated Plant Food (cooked rice, beans, vegetables)
- Mushrooms
- Tofu
- Soy Protein Foods
- Alcohol
- CBD
- THC
- Home-Grown or Foraged Plants, Herbs, Vegetables, Fruits
- Prohibited icings/fillings/frostings:
- Cream Cheese
- Meringue
- Swiss Meringue
- Buttercream Frosting
- French Buttercream
- German Buttercream
- Whipped Cream
- Ganache
Labeling Requirements
The following information must appear on every cottage food product label sold in New Jersey:
Required Disclaimer
This food is prepared pursuant to N.J.A.C. 8:24-11 in a home kitchen that has not been inspected by the Department of Health.
Additional Notes
Annual gross sales cap is $50,000 total (per applicant self-certification on form CFO-1). A $100 permit fee is required. Local zoning board approval is required before applying. A Food Protection Manager Certificate from an accredited program is required. Proof of potable water (water bill or well test) is required. Labels/tags must list ingredients and allergens on each product sold. When selling at a location other than the operator's residence or consumer's location, a placard with the disclaimer and the cottage food permit must be displayed conspicuously. Selling wholesale to stores/supermarkets requires a separate wholesale food license. Selling outside New Jersey requires contact with the local health department. Additional non-TCS products not on the approved list may be submitted for written approval pursuant to N.J.A.C. 8:24-11. Regulations under N.J.A.C. 8:24, Subchapter 11, effective January 3, 2022. Full approved and prohibited product details available at https://www.nj.gov/health/cottagefood/food-products/approved. Further labeling sub-fields (net weight, baker name/address/phone/email/identifier) could not be confirmed from sources retrieved within tool budget — review N.J.A.C. 8:24-11.4 for complete labeling requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the annual revenue limit for cottage food businesses in New Jersey?
- New Jersey cottage food producers may earn up to $50,000 per year from cottage food sales.
- Do I need a food handler certification to sell cottage food in New Jersey?
- Yes. New Jersey requires cottage food producers to hold a valid food handler certification.
- Is a business license required for cottage food sales in New Jersey?
- No. New Jersey does not require a business license to operate a cottage food business.
- Does New Jersey require cottage food producers to register with the state?
- Yes. New Jersey requires cottage food businesses to register with New Jersey Department of Health, Public Health and Food Protection Program.
- Where can I legally sell cottage food products in New Jersey?
- In New Jersey, cottage food products may be sold at: Direct to consumer from home kitchen, Farmers markets (within New Jersey), Other direct-to-consumer points of sale within New Jersey.
- What allergen labeling standard applies to cottage food in New Jersey?
- New Jersey follows the FDA Big Nine allergen standard for cottage food labeling.
- What products are allowed under New Jersey cottage food law?
- The following product categories are permitted for cottage food production in New Jersey: Non-potentially hazardous foods, see website for full list of approved items..
- What products are prohibited under New Jersey cottage food law?
- The following products may not be sold under New Jersey's cottage food exemption: Potentially hazardous foods, see website for full list of prohibited items., Prohibited ingredients:, Cream, Sour Cream, Custard, Puddings, Vegan Custard, Cheese, Cream Cheese, Meat, Fish, Vegetables (fresh, cooked, fried, or dried), Fresh Flowers, Fresh Herbs, Peppers, Fresh Fruit, Pumpkin, Sweet Potato, Yams, Carrots, Heat-Treated Plant Food (cooked rice, beans, vegetables), Mushrooms, Tofu, Soy Protein Foods, Alcohol, CBD, THC, Home-Grown or Foraged Plants, Herbs, Vegetables, Fruits, Prohibited icings/fillings/frostings:, Cream Cheese, Meringue, Swiss Meringue, Buttercream Frosting, French Buttercream, German Buttercream, Whipped Cream, Ganache.