Iowa cottage food law

The rules at a glance

Cottage food exemption

• Unattended honesty stand?

  Not addressed

  The law doesn't address unattended, self-serve or honor-system stands.

• Sign up with the state?

  No

  No license or permit for cottage foods.

  Source

  • Cottage food is exempt from all licensing, permitting, inspection, packaging, and labeling laws of the state if the food is sold and delivered by the producer directly to the consumer, or delivered by mail or an agent of the producer such as an employeeIowa Code 2026, section 137F.20, Cottage food requirements (PDF)
  • foods that are prepared in a residence that are not subject to licensing or inspectionIowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing: Cottage Food Law

• Food safety class?

  Not addressed

  The cottage food law doesn't mention a food safety class.

• Kitchen inspection?

  No

  The law exempts cottage foods from state inspection.

  Source

  • Cottage food is exempt from all licensing, permitting, inspection, packaging, and labeling laws of the state if the food complies with all of the followingIowa Administrative Code 481-30.13, Cottage food (PDF)
  • foods that are prepared in a residence that are not subject to licensing or inspectionIowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing: Cottage Food Law

• Yearly sales limit

  No limit

  The law sets no yearly sales cap.

  Source

  • Cottage food is exempt from all licensing, permitting, inspection, packaging, and labeling laws of the state if the food is sold and delivered by the producer directly to the consumer, or delivered by mail or an agent of the producer such as an employeeIowa Code 2026, section 137F.20, Cottage food requirements (PDF)

• Foods that need a fridge?

  No

  No time/temperature control for safety foods. Home-canned pickles, vegetables or fruit allowed with testing.

  Source

  • "Cottage food" means the production and sale of food produced at a private residence other than time/temperature control for safety food as provided in section 137F.20 and food for resale that is not time/temperature control for safety foodIowa Code 2026, section 137F.1, Definitions (PDF)
  • The food does not require temperature control to ensure safetyIowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing: Cottage Food Law
  • "Cottage food" MAY include home-canned pickles, vegetables or fruits if ALL of the following applyIowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing: Cottage Food Law

• Take orders online?

  Yes

  In person, remotely, by phone, internet or an agent.

  Source

  • A producer may sell food to the consumer in person, remotely, by telephone, by internet, or by an agent of the producerIowa Code 2026, section 137F.20, Cottage food requirements (PDF)

• Ship or mail orders?

  Yes

  By mail or an agent such as an employee.

  Source

  • delivered by mail or an agent of the producer such as an employeeIowa Code 2026, section 137F.20, Cottage food requirements (PDF)

• Sell through shops?

  No

  Not in food establishments, except your own temporary food stand.

  Source

  • Cottage food shall not be offered for sale in a food establishment except in a temporary food establishment, provided that the temporary food establishment is operated by the cottage food producerIowa Administrative Code 481-30.13, Cottage food (PDF)

What goes on the label