Hawaii Cottage Food Laws

Because Hawaii treats home baking as a permitted establishment rather than an exemption, start by contacting your district health office directly.

Fast facts

Permit
Home bakery / food establishment permit required
Annual sales cap
No formal cap
Online sales
Limited
Shipping
Not allowed

What makes Hawaii different

  • Hawaii has no true cottage food exemption — home bakers apply for a home bakery permit
  • The permit involves a plan review and an inspection of the kitchen
  • Rules are administered by district health offices, so requirements vary by island

Where you can sell in Hawaii

  • Farmers markets
  • Direct to consumer
  • Some retail with permit

What you can and can't make

Hawaii follows the standard cottage food logic: shelf-stable items are in, anything needing refrigeration is out. Check the Hawaii Department of Health 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

Hawaii 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 Hawaii

Hawaii Department of Health administers cottage food rules in Hawaii.

Last verified:

Visit Hawaii Department of Health

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

Cottage food laws in other states