Connecticut: Unattended honesty stand?

Not addressed. The statute and DCP pages don't address unattended or honor-system stands.

Connecticut: Sign up with the state?

Yes. Annual DCP license before selling. $50 application fee.

Connecticut: Food safety class?

Yes. An approved Food Handler course, valid when you apply and renew.

Connecticut: Kitchen inspection?

Yes. DCP examines the premises before licensing and may inspect at any time.

Connecticut: Yearly sales limit

$50,000 a year. Gross sales per calendar year, not profit.

Connecticut: Foods that need a fridge?

No. Only foods that are not potentially hazardous. No acidified or low-acid canned foods.

Connecticut: Take orders online?

Yes. Advertise and take orders online, but deliver in person within Connecticut.

Connecticut: Ship or mail orders?

No. No mail or third-party delivery. Hand the food to the customer.

Connecticut: Sell through shops?

No. No stores, restaurants, consignment or wholesale sales.

Cottage food law

Connecticut cottage food law

Connecticut licenses cottage food operators through the DCP. Only nonpotentially hazardous foods are allowed, sales must be direct to the consumer, and gross sales are capped at $50,000 a year.

Checked against the law October 21, 2026

The rules at a glance

Cottage Food Operator

Unattended honesty stand?
Not addressed
The statute and DCP pages don't address unattended or honor-system stands.
Sign up with the state?
Yes
Annual DCP license before selling. $50 application fee.
Source
- All cottage food operations shall be licensed annually by the Commissioner of Consumer ProtectionConnecticut General Statutes, Chapter 417: Cottage food operations
- Pay the $50 application fee to the Department of Consumer ProtectionConnecticut Department of Consumer Protection: How to apply for a Cottage Food Operator license
Food safety class?
Yes
An approved Food Handler course, valid when you apply and renew.
Source
- each cottage food operation shall have attended and completed a food safety training program that includes training in food processing and packagingConnecticut General Statutes, Chapter 417: Cottage food operations
- Before you apply for a cottage food license, you must complete an approved Food Handler courseConnecticut Department of Consumer Protection: Cottage Food Operator Food Handler Courses
Kitchen inspection?
Yes
DCP examines the premises before licensing and may inspect at any time.
Source
- Prior to licensing, the commissioner shall, within existing resources, examine the premises of the cottage food operation to determine it to be in complianceConnecticut General Statutes, Chapter 417: Cottage food operations
- The commissioner may inspect a cottage food operation at any time to ensure complianceConnecticut General Statutes, Chapter 417: Cottage food operations
Yearly sales limit
$50,000 a year
Gross sales per calendar year, not profit.
Source
- Yes, there is a yearly gross sales limit of $50,000Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection: Is there a maximum sales limit?
- Total annual gross sales for a cottage food operation shall not exceed fifty thousand dollars per calendar yearConnecticut General Statutes, Chapter 417: Cottage food operations
Foods that need a fridge?
No
Only foods that are not potentially hazardous. No acidified or low-acid canned foods.
Source
- A cottage food operation may produce food items that are not potentially hazardous foodConnecticut General Statutes, Chapter 417: Cottage food operations
- A cottage food operation shall not produce: (1) Potentially hazardous food itemsConnecticut General Statutes, Chapter 417: Cottage food operations
- Food items that present a food safety risk, such as acidified foods, low acid canned foodsConnecticut General Statutes, Chapter 417: Cottage food operations
Take orders online?
Yes
Advertise and take orders online, but deliver in person within Connecticut.
Source
- Advertising and sales by Internet, mail and phone are permissible, provided the cottage food operator or their designee shall deliver, in person, to the customer within the stateConnecticut General Statutes, Chapter 417: Cottage food operations
- You may advertise and take orders for your product onlineConnecticut Department of Consumer Protection: Can I sell my cottage food online?
Ship or mail orders?
No
No mail or third-party delivery. Hand the food to the customer.
Source
- Products may not be delivered by mail or by other third-party delivery services such as UPS or FedEx, or by mobile food ordering companiesConnecticut Department of Consumer Protection: Can I sell my cottage food online?
- deliver, in person, to the customer within the stateConnecticut General Statutes, Chapter 417: Cottage food operations
Sell through shops?
No
No stores, restaurants, consignment or wholesale sales.
Source
- No such operation shall engage in consignment or wholesale salesConnecticut General Statutes, Chapter 417: Cottage food operations
- Cottage food products cannot be sold at grocery stores, restaurants, long-term care facilities, group homes, day care facilities, or schoolsConnecticut Department of Consumer Protection: Can I place my products in a store or restaurant on consignment?

What goes on the label

Required wording

Made in a Cottage Food Operation that is not Subject to Routine Government Food Safety Inspection.

At least 10-point type, in English, clear and conspicuous.

Source

Made in a Cottage Food Operation that is not Subject to Routine Government Food Safety Inspection.Connecticut General Statutes, Chapter 417: Cottage food operations
Made in a Cottage Food Operation that is not Subject to Routine Government Food Safety Inspection.Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection: Cottage Food Label Checklist

The label also shows

Business name and address
The common or usual name of the food
Ingredients, most to least by weight or volume
Allergen information required by federal labeling rules
Net weight or net volume

Required on prepackaged products, printed in English.

Source

The name and address of the cottage food operationConnecticut General Statutes, Chapter 417: Cottage food operations
The common or usual name of the cottage food productConnecticut General Statutes, Chapter 417: Cottage food operations
The ingredients of the cottage food product, in descending order of predominance by weight or volumeConnecticut General Statutes, Chapter 417: Cottage food operations
Allergen information, as specified by federal labeling requirements, such as milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat and soybeansConnecticut General Statutes, Chapter 417: Cottage food operations
The net weight or net volume of the cottage food productConnecticut Department of Consumer Protection: Cottage Food Label Checklist

Before your first sale

This is general information, not legal advice. Check with the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) before you sell, and again if you add a new food or a new way of selling.

We check these sources every month and update this page when they change.

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