Tennessee Cottage Food Law
A complete guide to cottage food regulations in Tennessee (TN) — 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
- direct producer-to-consumer sales (in person)
- remote sales (telephone)
- remote sales (internet/online)
- via agent of the producer
- third-party vendor (e.g., retail shop or grocery store) — for items not containing dairy, meat, or poultry
- third-party carrier delivery — for items not containing dairy, meat, or poultry
Allowed Products
- non-time/temperature control for safety food homemade food items
- Certain time/temperature control for safety food homemade food items (as of July 1, 2025 amendment)
- non-alcoholic beverages
- poultry/poultry by-products raised under the federal 1,000-bird exemption (9 C.F.R. § 381.10(c))
- poultry/poultry by-products from an inspected source (9 C.F.R. § 381.10(d))
- meat/meat by-products from an inspected source (9 C.F.R. § 303.1(d))
Prohibited Products
- alcoholic beverages
- unpasteurized milk
- foods containing alcoholic beverages
- fish and shellfish products
- meat (except from federally inspected source per 9 C.F.R. § 303.1(d))
- meat by-products (except from federally inspected source)
- poultry (except under federal 1,000-bird exemption or from inspected source)
- poultry by-products (except under federal 1,000-bird exemption or from inspected source)
Labeling Requirements
The following information must appear on every cottage food product label sold in Tennessee:
Required Disclaimer
This product was produced at a private residence that is exempt from state licensing and inspection. This product may contain allergens.
Additional Notes
Tennessee calls this the 'Tennessee Food Freedom Act' (TFFA), codified at T.C.A. § 53-1-118. The law exempts homemade food items from all state licensing, permitting, inspecting, packaging, and labeling laws (except during a Dept. of Health foodborne illness investigation). The 2025 amendment (HB 130 / SB 484, effective July 1, 2025) expanded the law to allow production and sale of time/temperature control for safety (TCS/potentially hazardous) foods; prior to July 1, 2025, only non-TCS foods were covered. For TCS/potentially hazardous foods, a production date must appear on the label, and the food must be maintained at appropriate temperature during transport. Items containing dairy, meat, or poultry may only be sold producer-to-consumer (not through third-party vendors). The allergen disclaimer ('This product may contain allergens.') is required as part of the verbatim disclaimer statement, but specific allergen listing is not mandated. No annual revenue cap is established. TDA does not issue permits or conduct inspections under this law.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the annual revenue limit for cottage food businesses in Tennessee?
- Tennessee does not impose a stated annual revenue limit on cottage food producers.
- Do I need a food handler certification to sell cottage food in Tennessee?
- No. Tennessee does not require a food handler certification for cottage food producers.
- Is a business license required for cottage food sales in Tennessee?
- No. Tennessee does not require a business license to operate a cottage food business.
- Does Tennessee require cottage food producers to register with the state?
- No. Tennessee does not require cottage food producers to register with a state agency.
- Where can I legally sell cottage food products in Tennessee?
- In Tennessee, cottage food products may be sold at: direct producer-to-consumer sales (in person), remote sales (telephone), remote sales (internet/online), via agent of the producer, third-party vendor (e.g., retail shop or grocery store) — for items not containing dairy, meat, or poultry, third-party carrier delivery — for items not containing dairy, meat, or poultry.
- What allergen labeling standard applies to cottage food in Tennessee?
- Tennessee follows the CUSTOM for cottage food labeling.
- What products are allowed under Tennessee cottage food law?
- The following product categories are permitted for cottage food production in Tennessee: non-time/temperature control for safety food homemade food items, Certain time/temperature control for safety food homemade food items (as of July 1, 2025 amendment), non-alcoholic beverages, poultry/poultry by-products raised under the federal 1,000-bird exemption (9 C.F.R. § 381.10(c)), poultry/poultry by-products from an inspected source (9 C.F.R. § 381.10(d)), meat/meat by-products from an inspected source (9 C.F.R. § 303.1(d)).
- What products are prohibited under Tennessee cottage food law?
- The following products may not be sold under Tennessee's cottage food exemption: alcoholic beverages, unpasteurized milk, foods containing alcoholic beverages, fish and shellfish products, meat (except from federally inspected source per 9 C.F.R. § 303.1(d)), meat by-products (except from federally inspected source), poultry (except under federal 1,000-bird exemption or from inspected source), poultry by-products (except under federal 1,000-bird exemption or from inspected source).