Ohio: Unattended honesty stand?

Not addressed. The law doesn't mention self-serve or honor-system stands.

Ohio: Sign up with the state?

No. No license or inspection. Keep sales in Ohio.

Ohio: Food safety class?

Not addressed. Ohio's cottage food rules don't mention a food safety class.

Ohio: Kitchen inspection?

No. No routine inspection. The state can still sample your food.

Ohio: Yearly sales limit

No limit. No yearly sales limit. Sales must stay in Ohio.

Ohio: Foods that need a fridge?

No. Only shelf-stable foods on the state's approved list.

Ohio: Take orders online?

Not addressed. The law doesn't address online orders.

Ohio: Ship or mail orders?

Not addressed. The law doesn't address shipping. Sales must stay in Ohio.

Ohio: Sell through shops?

Yes. Grocery stores, farm markets, farmers markets and restaurants.

Cottage food law

Ohio cottage food law

Ohio lets you sell low-risk foods made in your home kitchen, like baked goods, jams and candy, directly to customers or through stores. There is no yearly sales limit, but you can only sell in Ohio.

Checked against the law October 20, 2026

The rules at a glance

Cottage Food Production Operation

Unattended honesty stand?
Not addressed
The law doesn't mention self-serve or honor-system stands.
Sign up with the state?
No
No license or inspection. Keep sales in Ohio.
Source
- A Cottage Food Production Operation is exempt from being licensed and inspected for the production of cottage foodsOhio Department of Agriculture: Cottage Foods
- A "Cottage Food Production Operation" is exempt from inspection and licensing by the Ohio Department of AgricultureOhio Department of Agriculture: Cottage Foods
Food safety class?
Not addressed
Ohio's cottage food rules don't mention a food safety class.
Kitchen inspection?
No
No routine inspection. The state can still sample your food.
Source
- A Cottage Food Production Operation is exempt from being licensed and inspected for the production of cottage foodsOhio Department of Agriculture: Cottage Foods
- all food products, including those produced and packaged by "Cottage Food Production Operations," are subject to food samplingOhio Department of Agriculture: Cottage Foods
- The statement means that the food product was produced in a private home that is not subject to inspection by a food regulatory authorityOhio Department of Agriculture: Cottage Foods
Yearly sales limit
No limit
No yearly sales limit. Sales must stay in Ohio.
Source
- Cottage Food Products may only be sold in OhioOhio Department of Agriculture: Cottage Foods
Foods that need a fridge?
No
Only shelf-stable foods on the state's approved list.
Source
- A "Cottage Food production Operation" is not permitted to process acidified foods, low-acid canned foods, potentially hazardous foodsOhio Department of Agriculture: Cottage Foods
- A cottage food production operation shall not process acidified foods, low acid canned foods, or potentially hazardous foodsOhio Revised Code 3715.025: Restrictions on cottage food production operation
- Process potentially hazardous foodsOhio Administrative Code 901:3-20-05: Prohibitions
Take orders online?
Not addressed
The law doesn't address online orders.
Ship or mail orders?
Not addressed
The law doesn't address shipping. Sales must stay in Ohio.
Sell through shops?
Yes
Grocery stores, farm markets, farmers markets and restaurants.
Source
- They may also be sold through grocery stores, registered farm markets, farmers markets, and sold and/or used in preparing food in a restaurantOhio Department of Agriculture: Cottage Foods

What goes on the label

Required wording

This product is home produced.

In ten-point type.

Source

In the case of a cottage food production operation, the following statement in ten-point type: "This product is home produced."Ohio Revised Code 3715.023: Labels for cottage food production operation
The following statement in ten-point type: "This Product is Home Produced."Ohio Department of Agriculture: Cottage Foods

The label also shows

The name of the food
The net weight and volume, in US and metric units
The ingredients, heaviest first
The name and address of your business
Major food allergens

Source

The name of the food productOhio Revised Code 3715.023: Labels for cottage food production operation
The net weight and volume of the food productOhio Revised Code 3715.023: Labels for cottage food production operation
The ingredients of the food product, in descending order of predominance by weightOhio Revised Code 3715.023: Labels for cottage food production operation
The name and address of the business of the cottage food production operation, processor, or beekeeperOhio Revised Code 3715.023: Labels for cottage food production operation
The label of any food that contains an ingredient that is or contains a protein from a "major food allergen" shall declare the presence of the allergenOhio Department of Agriculture: Cottage Foods

Before your first sale

This is general information, not legal advice. Check with the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) 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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