South Carolina Cottage Food Law
A complete guide to cottage food regulations in South Carolina (SC) — 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 — South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA ID number available upon request, voluntary)
Where You Can Sell
- Direct-to-consumer sales
- Online sales
- Mail order
- Retail stores (including grocery stores)
- Farmers markets
- Events
Allowed Products
- Shelf-stable cakes
- Shelf-stable cookies
- Shelf-stable cupcakes
- Dried herbs and spices
- Pie and pie fillings (high acid)
- Roasted nuts
- Sourdough bread (made with commercial sourdough starter)
- Candy
- Baked goods (non-potentially hazardous)
- All nonpotentially hazardous foods
- See Home-based Food Production Law Guidance handbook for complete list.
Prohibited Products
- Time/temperature controlled for safety foods (e.g. casseroles, meats, seafood, or ice cream)
- Bottled beverages
- Cheesecake
- Charcuterie boards
- Hot sauce and BBQ sauce
- Aluminum canned goods
- Animal foods that are raw or heat-treated
- Raw seed sprouts
- Cut melons
- Cut leafy greens
- Cut tomatoes or mixtures of cut tomatoes not modified to prevent microorganism growth or toxin formation
- Garlic-in-oil mixtures not modified to prevent microorganism growth or toxin formation
- See Home-based Food Production Law Guidance handbook for complete list.
Labeling Requirements
The following information must appear on every cottage food product label sold in South Carolina:
Required Disclaimer
PROCESSED AND PREPARED BY A HOME-BASED FOOD PRODUCTION OPERATION THAT IS NOT SUBJECT TO SOUTH CAROLINA'S FOOD SAFETY REGULATIONS.
Additional Notes
1. No upper annual revenue cap is established under the current law (SC Code 44-1-143, as amended by Act 208 effective May 23, 2022). The law only contains a lower-bound exemption: operations with net earnings of less than $1,500 annually are exempt even from cottage food requirements (per Title 44-1-143 search snippet). 2. SCDA ID number registration is strictly voluntary; producers may place the SCDA ID number on labels in lieu of their home address. 3. The allergen statement must list each major allergen by name OR include a disclaimer that the food may contain any major allergen. The major food allergens are Wheat, Soy, Milk, Egg, Finfish, Crustacean Shellfish, Peanuts, Tree Nuts, and Sesame. If a food contains tree nuts, the specific type must be labeled (e.g., walnuts, pecans, almonds). Finfish and Crustacean Shellfish are not allowed as cottage foods. 4. No health claims may be made in association with foods produced in a home-based food operation. 5. Retail food establishments can sell cottage food in its original packaging and must post a sign: 'PROCESSED AND PREPARED BY A HOME-BASED FOOD PRODUCTION OPERATION THAT IS NOT SUBJECT TO SOUTH CAROLINA'S FOOD SAFETY REGULATIONS.' 6. Home-based food may be served or used as an ingredient in a retail food establishment with a variance approved by SCDA. 7. The SCDA guidance document (July 2025, Version 1.4) is the primary operational reference for the law. 8. Oversight transferred from DHEC to SCDA effective July 1, 2024 (Act 60/S.399 of 2023). 9. The law applies in the absence of a local ordinance to the contrary — local jurisdictions may have stricter rules. 10. Sourdough bread is only allowed if made with commercial sourdough starter (not wild-fermented starter). 11. The guidance notes that the allowed foods list is not exhaustive; any nonpotentially hazardous food may qualify under the law.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the annual revenue limit for cottage food businesses in South Carolina?
- South Carolina does not impose a stated annual revenue limit on cottage food producers.
- Do I need a food handler certification to sell cottage food in South Carolina?
- No. South Carolina does not require a food handler certification for cottage food producers.
- Is a business license required for cottage food sales in South Carolina?
- No. South Carolina does not require a business license to operate a cottage food business.
- Does South Carolina require cottage food producers to register with the state?
- No. South Carolina does not require cottage food producers to register with a state agency.
- Where can I legally sell cottage food products in South Carolina?
- In South Carolina, cottage food products may be sold at: Direct-to-consumer sales, Online sales, Mail order, Retail stores (including grocery stores), Farmers markets, Events.
- What allergen labeling standard applies to cottage food in South Carolina?
- South Carolina follows the FDA Big Nine allergen standard for cottage food labeling.
- What products are allowed under South Carolina cottage food law?
- The following product categories are permitted for cottage food production in South Carolina: Shelf-stable cakes, Shelf-stable cookies, Shelf-stable cupcakes, Dried herbs and spices, Pie and pie fillings (high acid), Roasted nuts, Sourdough bread (made with commercial sourdough starter), Candy, Baked goods (non-potentially hazardous), All nonpotentially hazardous foods, See Home-based Food Production Law Guidance handbook for complete list..
- What products are prohibited under South Carolina cottage food law?
- The following products may not be sold under South Carolina's cottage food exemption: Time/temperature controlled for safety foods (e.g. casseroles, meats, seafood, or ice cream), Bottled beverages, Cheesecake, Charcuterie boards, Hot sauce and BBQ sauce, Aluminum canned goods, Animal foods that are raw or heat-treated, Raw seed sprouts, Cut melons, Cut leafy greens, Cut tomatoes or mixtures of cut tomatoes not modified to prevent microorganism growth or toxin formation, Garlic-in-oil mixtures not modified to prevent microorganism growth or toxin formation, See Home-based Food Production Law Guidance handbook for complete list..