Ohio Cottage Food Law
A complete guide to cottage food regulations in Ohio (OH) — 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
- directly from the home where products are produced
- licensed grocery stores
- registered farm markets
- farmers markets
- licensed restaurants (sold and/or used in preparing food)
- festivals or celebrations organized by a political subdivision of the state (lasting no longer than seven consecutive days)
Allowed Products
- non-potentially hazardous bakery products (such as cookies, breads, brownies, cakes, fruit pies, etc.)
- candy (including no-bake cookies, chocolate covered pretzels or similar chocolate covered non-perishable items)
- jams
- jellies
- fruit butters
- granola (including granola bars and granola bars dipped in candy)
- popcorn (including flavored popcorn, kettle corn, popcorn balls, caramel corn, but does not include un-popped popping corn)
- unfilled baked donuts
- waffle cones
- pizzelles
- dry cereal and nut snack mixes with seasonings
- roasted coffee (whole beans or ground)
- dry baking mixes (for making items such as breads and cookies)
- dry herbs and dry herb blends
- dry seasoning blends (such as dry barbecue rubs and seafood boils)
- dry tea blends
- flavored honey made by a beekeeper exempt under ORC 3715.021
- fruit chutney
- maple sugar made by a processor of tree syrup exempt under ORC 3715.021
- dry soup mixes containing commercially dried vegetables, beans, grains, and seasoning
Prohibited Products
- acidified foods (e.g., beans, cucumbers, cabbage, puddings)
- low-acid canned foods
- potentially hazardous foods (e.g., raw or cooked animal products, cooked vegetables, garlic in oil, cheesecakes, pumpkin pies, custard pies, cream pies)
- un-popped popping corn
- any non-potentially hazardous food not listed in the permitted foods list
Labeling Requirements
The following information must appear on every cottage food product label sold in Ohio:
Required Disclaimer
This Product is Home Produced. (must be written in ten point type)
Additional Notes
No annual revenue cap is mentioned in the official source. Products may only be sold within Ohio. The disclaimer statement 'This Product is Home Produced.' must appear in ten-point type. Net weight must be stated in both U.S. Customary System and International System (metric). Allergen labeling follows FDA Big 9 standard (milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, sesame, and soybeans), declared in the ingredient statement or via a 'Contains' statement immediately after or adjacent to the ingredient list. The operation is exempt from inspection and licensing by the Ohio Department of Agriculture, but products are subject to food sampling by ODA to determine compliance with labeling regulations. If nutrient content claims or health claims are made, a full Nutrition Facts panel is required. All labeling must comply with 21 CFR Part 101. Source PDF is dated February 3, 2025 (Cottage+Food+Production+Operation_2-3-25.pdf). Pending law change: Ohio House passed HB 134 creating a 'Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation Registration' for expanded home kitchen food sales — effective date not confirmed from official ODA source.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the annual revenue limit for cottage food businesses in Ohio?
- Ohio does not impose a stated annual revenue limit on cottage food producers.
- Do I need a food handler certification to sell cottage food in Ohio?
- No. Ohio does not require a food handler certification for cottage food producers.
- Is a business license required for cottage food sales in Ohio?
- No. Ohio does not require a business license to operate a cottage food business.
- Does Ohio require cottage food producers to register with the state?
- No. Ohio does not require cottage food producers to register with a state agency.
- Where can I legally sell cottage food products in Ohio?
- In Ohio, cottage food products may be sold at: directly from the home where products are produced, licensed grocery stores, registered farm markets, farmers markets, licensed restaurants (sold and/or used in preparing food), festivals or celebrations organized by a political subdivision of the state (lasting no longer than seven consecutive days).
- What allergen labeling standard applies to cottage food in Ohio?
- Ohio follows the FDA Big Nine allergen standard for cottage food labeling.
- What products are allowed under Ohio cottage food law?
- The following product categories are permitted for cottage food production in Ohio: non-potentially hazardous bakery products (such as cookies, breads, brownies, cakes, fruit pies, etc.), candy (including no-bake cookies, chocolate covered pretzels or similar chocolate covered non-perishable items), jams, jellies, fruit butters, granola (including granola bars and granola bars dipped in candy), popcorn (including flavored popcorn, kettle corn, popcorn balls, caramel corn, but does not include un-popped popping corn), unfilled baked donuts, waffle cones, pizzelles, dry cereal and nut snack mixes with seasonings, roasted coffee (whole beans or ground), dry baking mixes (for making items such as breads and cookies), dry herbs and dry herb blends, dry seasoning blends (such as dry barbecue rubs and seafood boils), dry tea blends, flavored honey made by a beekeeper exempt under ORC 3715.021, fruit chutney, maple sugar made by a processor of tree syrup exempt under ORC 3715.021, dry soup mixes containing commercially dried vegetables, beans, grains, and seasoning.
- What products are prohibited under Ohio cottage food law?
- The following products may not be sold under Ohio's cottage food exemption: acidified foods (e.g., beans, cucumbers, cabbage, puddings), low-acid canned foods, potentially hazardous foods (e.g., raw or cooked animal products, cooked vegetables, garlic in oil, cheesecakes, pumpkin pies, custard pies, cream pies), un-popped popping corn, any non-potentially hazardous food not listed in the permitted foods list.