Indiana: Unattended honesty stand?

Not addressed. The law doesn't mention self-serve stands. Ask your local health department.

Indiana: Sign up with the state?

No. No license or permit. Local governments can't require one.

Indiana: Food safety class?

Yes. A food handler certificate from an ANSI-accredited issuer.

Indiana: Kitchen inspection?

Sometimes. No routine checks. A complaint can trigger an inspection.

Indiana: Yearly sales limit

No limit. No annual sales cap in the law.

Indiana: Foods that need a fridge?

No. Only shelf-stable, non-TCS foods.

Indiana: Take orders online?

Yes. By phone or online, direct to the customer.

Indiana: Ship or mail orders?

Yes. By mail or carrier, but only within Indiana.

Indiana: Sell through shops?

No. Direct to the customer only. No shops or restaurants.

Cottage food law

Indiana cottage food law

Indiana lets home-based vendors sell shelf-stable foods made in their home kitchen straight to the customer, with no sales cap. No license or permit is required, but you need a food handler certificate.

Checked against the law October 20, 2026

The rules at a glance

Home-Based Vendor (HBV)

Unattended honesty stand?
Not addressed
The law doesn't mention self-serve stands. Ask your local health department.
Sign up with the state?
No
No license or permit. Local governments can't require one.
Source
- HBVs do not require food permitting by lawIndiana Department of Health: Home-Based Vendor Handbook (PDF)
- may not by ordinance or resolution require any licensure, certification, or inspection of foods or food products of a home-based vendorIndiana Department of Health: Home-Based Vendor Handbook (PDF)
Food safety class?
Yes
A food handler certificate from an ANSI-accredited issuer.
Source
- A home-based vendor shall obtain a food handler certificate from a certificate issuer that is accredited by the American National Standards InstituteIndiana Department of Health: Home-Based Vendor Handbook (PDF)
Kitchen inspection?
Sometimes
No routine checks. A complaint can trigger an inspection.
Source
- While HBVs are not subject to routine inspections or product sampling, local health departments have authority to inspect production sitesIndiana Department of Health: Home-Based Vendor Handbook (PDF)
- if a complaint is received about non-compliance or food safety issues, your kitchen may be inspectedIndiana Department of Health: Home-Based Vendor Handbook (PDF)
Yearly sales limit
No limit
No annual sales cap in the law.
Source
- A person may prepare and sell food products as a home-based vendor if the person complies with the requirements of this chapterIndiana Department of Health: Home-Based Vendor Handbook (PDF)
Foods that need a fridge?
No
Only shelf-stable, non-TCS foods.
Source
- HBV regulations permit the sale of food products that are not time/temperature controlled for safety (TCS) foodsIndiana Department of Health: Home-Based Vendor Handbook (PDF)
- TCS foods are not permitted to be sold by HBVsIndiana Department of Health: Home-Based Vendor Handbook (PDF)
Take orders online?
Yes
By phone or online, direct to the customer.
Source
- sold in person, by telephone, or through the InternetIndiana Department of Health: Home-Based Vendor Handbook (PDF)
Ship or mail orders?
Yes
By mail or carrier, but only within Indiana.
Source
- Delivered to the end consumer in person, by mail, or via a third-party carrierIndiana Department of Health: Home-Based Vendor Handbook (PDF)
- A home-based vendor may not ship or deliver a food product to an end consumer who is located outside IndianaIndiana Department of Health: Home-Based Vendor Handbook (PDF)
Sell through shops?
No
Direct to the customer only. No shops or restaurants.
Source
- HBVs must only sell their product directly to the end consumerIndiana Department of Health: Home-Based Vendor Handbook (PDF)
- Products cannot be sold to a warehouse, retail food establishment, wholesalerIndiana Department of Health: Home-Based Vendor Handbook (PDF)

What goes on the label

Required wording

This product is home produced and processed, and the production area has not been inspected by the State Department of Health. NOT FOR RESALE.

In at least 10-point type.

Source

This product is home produced and processed, and the production area has not been inspected by the State Department of Health. NOT FOR RESALEIndiana Department of Health: Home-Based Vendor Handbook (PDF)

The label also shows

Your name and address
The common name of the food
Ingredients, heaviest first
Net weight or volume
The date you made it

Allergens are encouraged but not required.

Source

The name and address of the producerIndiana Department of Health: Home-Based Vendor Handbook (PDF)
The common or usual name of the food productIndiana Department of Health: Home-Based Vendor Handbook (PDF)
The ingredients of the food product, in descending order by predominance by weightIndiana Department of Health: Home-Based Vendor Handbook (PDF)
The net weight or volume of the food product by standard measure or numerical countIndiana Department of Health: Home-Based Vendor Handbook (PDF)
The date on which the food product was processedIndiana Department of Health: Home-Based Vendor Handbook (PDF)

Before your first sale

This is general information, not legal advice. Check with the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) and your local health department 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.

Indiana Department of Health: Home-Based Vendor Handbook (PDF)

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