Illinois Cottage Food Laws

Illinois went from restrictive to one of the best states for home bakers in a single bill. Registration is per-county with a modest fee.

Fast facts

Permit
Registration with local health department + food manager certification
Annual sales cap
No limit
Online sales
Allowed
Shipping
Allowed

What makes Illinois different

  • The 2022 Home-to-Market Act removed the sales cap and opened up shipping within Illinois
  • You register with your county health department and hold ANSI food manager certification
  • Illinois allows a wider range of products than most states, including some acidified foods with a process review

Where you can sell in Illinois

  • Direct to consumer
  • Farmers markets
  • Online
  • Delivery
  • Shipping in state
  • Events

What you can and can't make

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

Illinois 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 Illinois

Illinois Department of Public Health / local health departments administers cottage food rules in Illinois.

Last verified:

Visit Illinois Department of Public Health / local health departments

Not legal advice. This summary is for general education. Confirm with Illinois Department of Public Health / local health departments before you start selling.

Cottage food laws in other states