Georgia Cottage Food Laws

Georgia simplified its law in 2025. Local business licensing and zoning still apply, and some farmers markets may ask for a Food Sales Establishment License.

Important information: Cottage food laws vary by state and may change. This guide is provided for general educational purposes and is not legal advice. Always confirm current requirements with your state's official regulatory agency before selling homemade food.

Checked against official Georgia sources on November 2, 2026: permit, sales cap, online sales and label statement. Anything not marked as checked is our summary — check with the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

Fast facts

Permit
No state license (since HB 398) (checked)
Annual sales cap
No limit (checked)
Online sales
Allowed (checked)
Shipping
Limited (summary)

What makes Georgia different

  • Since HB 398, cottage food operators don't need a license from the Georgia Department of Agriculture
  • The Department sets no limit on gross sales or on the number of units you make
  • Sales to end consumers within Georgia, including online, are allowed; interstate sales may bring FDA oversight

Where you can sell in Georgia

  • Direct to consumer
  • Farmers markets
  • Online (within Georgia)
  • Retailers and restaurants
  • Events

What you can and can't make

These lists describe what most cottage food laws allow and prohibit. They aren't Georgia's official product list: check the Georgia Department of Agriculture for the foods Georgia actually allows.

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

Required statement, checked November 2, 2026:

MADE IN A COTTAGE FOOD OPERATION THAT IS NOT SUBJECT TO STATE FOOD SAFETY INSPECTIONS.

All capitals, Times New Roman or Arial, at least 10-point type, contrasting with the label background.

Most states require the elements below. Georgia's exact list may differ, so confirm it with the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

  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

The Georgia Department of Agriculture administers cottage food rules in Georgia. Their page is the authoritative, current version of everything summarized here.

Visit the Georgia Department of Agriculture

Sources we checked on November 2, 2026:

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Cottage food laws in other states