Utah Cottage Food Law
A complete guide to cottage food regulations in Utah (UT) — revenue limits, allowed products, labeling, and permitting requirements.
Requirements & Restrictions
Permitting & Registration
- Food Handler Certification
- Required
- Business License
- Required
- State Registration
- Required — Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF)
Where You Can Sell
- Direct-to-consumer sales (Cottage Food registration)
- Retail stores for resale (Cottage Food registration only)
- Farmers markets (both Cottage Food and Home Consumption Act)
- Prearranged or agreed-upon in-person locations (Home Consumption and Homemade Food Act only)
Allowed Products
- Baked goods (shelf-stable, non-TCS, dry heat only)
- Breads (with non-TCS inclusions only)
- Cakes and pastries (shelf-stable, no vegetable pieces unless from cake mix with dried vegetables)
- Cookies (with non-TCS inclusions; fillings must be non-TCS)
- Fruit pies (no custard, cream, or egg-based fillings)
- Cereals
- Trail mixes
- Granola (including cereal-marshmallow treats)
- Dried fruits (from acidic fruits only)
- Chocolate-covered dried fruits
- Dry herbs and seasoning mixes
- Hard candies
- Freeze-dried candies
- Cotton candy
- Jams
- Jellies
- Preserves (from fruits per 21 CFR 150, excluding tomatoes; no sugar-free or no-sugar-added)
- Nuts
- Nut mixes
- Nut brittles (including candied and chocolate-covered nuts)
- Popcorn
- Popcorn balls
- Raw honey
- Creamed honey
- Repackaged non-TCS foods
- Roasted coffee beans
- Sourdough products (with pH 4.0 or less starter from accredited lab, or commercially manufactured starter)
- Vanilla extract
- Vinegar
- Flavored vinegar (strained/filtered, no flavoring components remaining)
Prohibited Products
- Potentially hazardous foods
- Foods requiring temperature control or refrigeration for safety
Labeling Requirements
The following information must appear on every cottage food product label sold in Utah:
Required Disclaimer
Home Produced
Additional Notes
Utah has TWO separate home-food frameworks: (1) Cottage Food Law — requires UDAF registration, pre-operational inspection, valid food handler permit, and a separate business license; allows direct-to-consumer AND sales to stores for resale; products must be shelf-stable, non-TCS; labeling must include name of food, complete list of ingredients, net quantity, allergens, name and contact information of the business, and 'Home Produced'. Labels must comply with 21 CFR 101 and R70-560-6. (2) Home Consumption and Homemade Food Act — requires a business license but NO UDAF registration; more restrictive selling rules (in-person, direct-to-final-consumer only at prearranged locations, not for resale); label must include disclaimer 'Not for Resale – Processed and prepared without the benefit of state or local inspection' AND an allergen list; prohibited products include meat, food products containing meat, and raw (unpasteurized) dairy (some exemptions exist for poultry and rabbit meat). No annual revenue cap was stated in any official source. Sourdough products require pH ≤ 4.0 lab results from an accredited lab or a commercially manufactured starter. All persons engaged in cottage food operations must hold a valid food handler permit. Sales must be within Utah only (both frameworks). Labeling standard references: 21 CFR 101 (FDA) and Utah Admin Rule R70-560-6.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the annual revenue limit for cottage food businesses in Utah?
- Utah does not impose a stated annual revenue limit on cottage food producers.
- Do I need a food handler certification to sell cottage food in Utah?
- Yes. Utah requires cottage food producers to hold a valid food handler certification.
- Is a business license required for cottage food sales in Utah?
- Yes. Cottage food producers in Utah are required to obtain a business license.
- Does Utah require cottage food producers to register with the state?
- Yes. Utah requires cottage food businesses to register with Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF).
- Where can I legally sell cottage food products in Utah?
- In Utah, cottage food products may be sold at: Direct-to-consumer sales (Cottage Food registration), Retail stores for resale (Cottage Food registration only), Farmers markets (both Cottage Food and Home Consumption Act), Prearranged or agreed-upon in-person locations (Home Consumption and Homemade Food Act only).
- What allergen labeling standard applies to cottage food in Utah?
- Utah follows the FDA Big Nine allergen standard for cottage food labeling.
- What products are allowed under Utah cottage food law?
- The following product categories are permitted for cottage food production in Utah: Baked goods (shelf-stable, non-TCS, dry heat only), Breads (with non-TCS inclusions only), Cakes and pastries (shelf-stable, no vegetable pieces unless from cake mix with dried vegetables), Cookies (with non-TCS inclusions; fillings must be non-TCS), Fruit pies (no custard, cream, or egg-based fillings), Cereals, Trail mixes, Granola (including cereal-marshmallow treats), Dried fruits (from acidic fruits only), Chocolate-covered dried fruits, Dry herbs and seasoning mixes, Hard candies, Freeze-dried candies, Cotton candy, Jams, Jellies, Preserves (from fruits per 21 CFR 150, excluding tomatoes; no sugar-free or no-sugar-added), Nuts, Nut mixes, Nut brittles (including candied and chocolate-covered nuts), Popcorn, Popcorn balls, Raw honey, Creamed honey, Repackaged non-TCS foods, Roasted coffee beans, Sourdough products (with pH 4.0 or less starter from accredited lab, or commercially manufactured starter), Vanilla extract, Vinegar, Flavored vinegar (strained/filtered, no flavoring components remaining).
- What products are prohibited under Utah cottage food law?
- The following products may not be sold under Utah's cottage food exemption: Potentially hazardous foods, Foods requiring temperature control or refrigeration for safety.