Kentucky Cottage Food Laws

Kentucky's structure is agriculture-oriented — many of its provisions assume you're also a farm producer, which surprises urban home bakers.

Fast facts

Permit
Registration required; home-based processor certification for some foods
Annual sales cap
$60,000/yr
Online sales
Limited
Shipping
Not allowed

What makes Kentucky different

  • Kentucky separates home-based microprocessors (canned goods, requires training) from home-based processors
  • Microprocessors must take a University of Kentucky training course
  • Sales are generally tied to farm-related venues

Where you can sell in Kentucky

  • Farmers markets
  • Roadside stands
  • Direct to consumer
  • Certified farmers market events

What you can and can't make

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

Kentucky 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 Kentucky

Kentucky Department for Public Health / Department of Agriculture administers cottage food rules in Kentucky.

Last verified:

Visit Kentucky Department for Public Health / Department of Agriculture

Not legal advice. This summary is for general education. Confirm with Kentucky Department for Public Health / Department of Agriculture before you start selling.

Cottage food laws in other states