Virginia Cottage Food Law
A complete guide to cottage food regulations in Virginia (VA) — 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
- Private home where the product was manufactured (direct to consumer for personal consumption)
- Farmers' markets (direct to consumer for personal consumption)
- Temporary events operating for no more than 14 consecutive days
Allowed Products
- Candies
- Jams and jellies not considered to be low-acid or acidified low-acid food products
- Dried fruits
- Dried herbs
- Dry seasonings
- Dry mixtures
- Coated and uncoated nuts
- Vinegars and flavored vinegars
- Popcorn and popcorn balls
- Cotton candy
- Dried pasta
- Dry baking mixes
- Roasted coffee
- Dried tea
- Cereals
- Trail mixes
- Granola
- Baked goods that do not require time or temperature control after preparation
- Pickles that have an equilibrium pH of 4.6 or lower
- Acidified vegetables that have an equilibrium pH of 4.6 or lower (including pickled products, salsa, chow-chow, relishes and similar vegetables)
Prohibited Products
- Canned fermented foods
- Canned foods that require refrigeration for safety
- Canned acid foods
- Canned fruits
- Low-acid canned vegetables
Labeling Requirements
The following information must appear on every cottage food product label sold in Virginia:
Required Disclaimer
NOT FOR RESALE — PROCESSED AND PREPARED WITHOUT STATE INSPECTION
Additional Notes
Virginia's cottage food exemption is under § 3.2-5130 of the Code of Virginia, administered by VDACS. There are two separate exemption categories: (1) Low-Risk Foods — no annual revenue cap stated; (2) Acidified Foods (pickles, salsa, chow-chow, relishes, etc. with equilibrium pH ≤ 4.6) — producers must not exceed $9,000 in total annual gross sales for ALL acidified products combined (per-category cap, not a whole-business cap; hence annualRevenueLimitCents is null). Honey is also referenced as a third exemption category under § 3.2-5130 but details were not fully captured in source text. Labeling requirements include: name, physical address, and telephone number of the preparer; date the food was processed; the disclaimer statement on the principal display panel; plus standard labeling (product name, net weight statement, name and address of manufacturer, list of ingredients and subingredients, and possibly nutritional information). If a product is too small for a readable label or sold for on-site consumption, a sign at the point of sale is an acceptable alternative. Online advertising is permitted (product descriptions, price lists, dates/locations of sales), but online selling (order forms, electronic payment, shipping) is prohibited. Sales across state lines are prohibited. No VDACS inspection or annual fee ($40) required under the exemption. Source document: VDACS-FSP-HKFPE REV 07/2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the annual revenue limit for cottage food businesses in Virginia?
- Virginia does not impose a stated annual revenue limit on cottage food producers.
- Do I need a food handler certification to sell cottage food in Virginia?
- No. Virginia does not require a food handler certification for cottage food producers.
- Is a business license required for cottage food sales in Virginia?
- No. Virginia does not require a business license to operate a cottage food business.
- Does Virginia require cottage food producers to register with the state?
- No. Virginia does not require cottage food producers to register with a state agency.
- Where can I legally sell cottage food products in Virginia?
- In Virginia, cottage food products may be sold at: Private home where the product was manufactured (direct to consumer for personal consumption), Farmers' markets (direct to consumer for personal consumption), Temporary events operating for no more than 14 consecutive days.
- What allergen labeling standard applies to cottage food in Virginia?
- Virginia follows the FDA Big Nine allergen standard for cottage food labeling.
- What products are allowed under Virginia cottage food law?
- The following product categories are permitted for cottage food production in Virginia: Candies, Jams and jellies not considered to be low-acid or acidified low-acid food products, Dried fruits, Dried herbs, Dry seasonings, Dry mixtures, Coated and uncoated nuts, Vinegars and flavored vinegars, Popcorn and popcorn balls, Cotton candy, Dried pasta, Dry baking mixes, Roasted coffee, Dried tea, Cereals, Trail mixes, Granola, Baked goods that do not require time or temperature control after preparation, Pickles that have an equilibrium pH of 4.6 or lower, Acidified vegetables that have an equilibrium pH of 4.6 or lower (including pickled products, salsa, chow-chow, relishes and similar vegetables).
- What products are prohibited under Virginia cottage food law?
- The following products may not be sold under Virginia's cottage food exemption: Canned fermented foods, Canned foods that require refrigeration for safety, Canned acid foods, Canned fruits, Low-acid canned vegetables.