Georgia Cottage Food Laws

Georgia requires a real license application including a kitchen sketch and water source information, but once licensed the selling channels are broad.

Fast facts

Permit
Cottage food license required
Annual sales cap
No limit
Online sales
Allowed
Shipping
Limited

What makes Georgia different

  • A cottage food license from the Department of Agriculture is required
  • Georgia lifted its old direct-sales-only restriction, so internet and mail-order sales are allowed
  • No annual sales cap

Where you can sell in Georgia

  • Direct to consumer
  • Farmers markets
  • Online
  • Retail (with license)
  • Events

What you can and can't make

Georgia follows the standard cottage food logic: shelf-stable items are in, anything needing refrigeration is out. Check the Georgia Department of Agriculture product list for state-specific exceptions.

Generally allowed

  • Breads, rolls, biscuits and buns
  • Cakes, cupcakes and brownies (without cream-cheese or custard fillings)
  • Cookies, bars and biscotti
  • Fruit pies and fruit-filled pastries
  • Candy, brittle, fudge and chocolate-covered items
  • Dry mixes, granola, popcorn and roasted nuts
  • Jams, jellies and preserves made from high-acid fruit

Generally prohibited

  • Cheesecake and cream-cheese frostings or fillings
  • Custard, meringue, pudding and Bavarian-cream pies
  • Anything containing meat, poultry or seafood
  • Fresh-dairy items, ice cream and buttercream that requires refrigeration
  • Canned vegetables, salsas and other low-acid canned goods
  • Garlic-in-oil, pickled goods and fermented foods (in most states)
  • Kombucha, juices and other beverages requiring a process authority

Georgia labeling requirements

  1. The name and physical address of your home kitchen business
  2. The common name of the product
  3. A full ingredient list in descending order by weight
  4. Allergen declaration for the major allergens (milk, eggs, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, sesame)
  5. Net weight or volume
  6. A cottage food disclosure such as "Made in a home kitchen that is not subject to routine state inspection"

Official source for Georgia

Georgia Department of Agriculture administers cottage food rules in Georgia.

Last verified:

Visit Georgia Department of Agriculture

Not legal advice. This summary is for general education. Confirm with Georgia Department of Agriculture before you start selling.

Cottage food laws in other states