Pennsylvania Cottage Food Law
A complete guide to cottage food regulations in Pennsylvania (PA) — revenue limits, allowed products, labeling, and permitting requirements.
Requirements & Restrictions
Permitting & Registration
- Food Handler Certification
- Not required
- Business License
- Not required
- State Registration
- Required — Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Food Safety and Laboratory Services
Where You Can Sell
- direct from production site (home)
- internet sales
- farmer's markets (requires separate Retail Food Facility License)
- satellite of the processing site
Allowed Products
- bakery products
- jams and jellies
- acidified foods
- candy
- root beer
- lemonade
- lemon iced tea
- kombucha
- other acidic or fermented drinks
- 100% juice
- pickled vegetables
- salsas
- hot sauces
- sauerkraut
- kimchi
- non-potentially hazardous foods (non-PHF / non-TCS) that do not require refrigeration of the finished product
Prohibited Products
- potentially hazardous foods (PHF) / time-temperature control for safety (TCS) foods
- freshly brewed coffee and tea (unless pH demonstrated below 4.6)
- low-acid canned foods (LACF) requiring retort processing beyond LFE capability
Labeling Requirements
The following information must appear on every cottage food product label sold in Pennsylvania:
Additional Notes
Pennsylvania's home-based food program is called the 'Limited Food Establishment' (LFE) program — not 'cottage food.' Registration (not a license) is required with the PA Department of Agriculture before production begins; the site is subject to routine inspection. No annual revenue cap is stated in the official source. Bakery items made and sold directly by the baker (or their employee) at the production site or a satellite such as a farmer's market do NOT require formal labeling on the product, but ingredient information must be available upon request; full labeling (name, ingredients, allergens, name/address of manufacturer, net weight) is required for all other packaged products. A Retail Food Facility License is additionally required to sell at events or farmer's markets. LFE registration is NOT available in Philadelphia County — Philadelphia operations require NSF/ANSI equipment in a commercially zoned property. Businesses selling across state lines may also need FDA registration. Local zoning approval must be confirmed before registering. No animals/pets are permitted on the premises at any time. The $500,000 / $1,000,000 annual sales thresholds referenced in the application packet are federal FSMA modified-requirements thresholds, not PA-specific revenue caps. Acidified food processors conducting interstate commerce must also register their scheduled process with the FDA.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the annual revenue limit for cottage food businesses in Pennsylvania?
- Pennsylvania does not impose a stated annual revenue limit on cottage food producers.
- Do I need a food handler certification to sell cottage food in Pennsylvania?
- No. Pennsylvania does not require a food handler certification for cottage food producers.
- Is a business license required for cottage food sales in Pennsylvania?
- No. Pennsylvania does not require a business license to operate a cottage food business.
- Does Pennsylvania require cottage food producers to register with the state?
- Yes. Pennsylvania requires cottage food businesses to register with Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Food Safety and Laboratory Services.
- Where can I legally sell cottage food products in Pennsylvania?
- In Pennsylvania, cottage food products may be sold at: direct from production site (home), internet sales, farmer's markets (requires separate Retail Food Facility License), satellite of the processing site.
- What allergen labeling standard applies to cottage food in Pennsylvania?
- Pennsylvania follows the FDA Big Nine allergen standard for cottage food labeling.
- What products are allowed under Pennsylvania cottage food law?
- The following product categories are permitted for cottage food production in Pennsylvania: bakery products, jams and jellies, acidified foods, candy, root beer, lemonade, lemon iced tea, kombucha, other acidic or fermented drinks, 100% juice, pickled vegetables, salsas, hot sauces, sauerkraut, kimchi, non-potentially hazardous foods (non-PHF / non-TCS) that do not require refrigeration of the finished product.
- What products are prohibited under Pennsylvania cottage food law?
- The following products may not be sold under Pennsylvania's cottage food exemption: potentially hazardous foods (PHF) / time-temperature control for safety (TCS) foods, freshly brewed coffee and tea (unless pH demonstrated below 4.6), low-acid canned foods (LACF) requiring retort processing beyond LFE capability.