Idaho Cottage Food Laws

Idaho's hands-off approach makes it easy to start, but check your district health department because interpretations differ across districts.

Fast facts

Permit
No permit required
Annual sales cap
No limit
Online sales
Allowed
Shipping
Limited

What makes Idaho different

  • Idaho is one of the least regulated states for non-potentially-hazardous homemade food
  • No permit, no registration and no sales cap
  • Rules are applied by seven district health departments, so local guidance still matters

Where you can sell in Idaho

  • Direct to consumer
  • Farmers markets
  • Retail
  • Online
  • Events

What you can and can't make

Idaho follows the standard cottage food logic: shelf-stable items are in, anything needing refrigeration is out. Check the Idaho Department of Health & Welfare / district health departments 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

Idaho 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 Idaho

Idaho Department of Health & Welfare / district health departments administers cottage food rules in Idaho.

Last verified:

Visit Idaho Department of Health & Welfare / district health departments

Not legal advice. This summary is for general education. Confirm with Idaho Department of Health & Welfare / district health departments before you start selling.

Cottage food laws in other states