New Jersey Cottage Food Laws

Because the program is new, NJDOH guidance is still evolving. The permit runs on a multi-year renewal cycle with a fee.

Fast facts

Permit
Cottage food operator permit required
Annual sales cap
$50,000/yr
Online sales
Limited
Shipping
Not allowed

What makes New Jersey different

  • New Jersey was the last state to legalize cottage food, in 2021
  • A state permit plus food safety training is required
  • $50,000 annual gross sales cap, direct-to-consumer only

Where you can sell in New Jersey

  • Direct to consumer
  • Farmers markets
  • Home pickup
  • Events

What you can and can't make

New Jersey follows the standard cottage food logic: shelf-stable items are in, anything needing refrigeration is out. Check the New Jersey 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

New Jersey 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 New Jersey

New Jersey Department of Health administers cottage food rules in New Jersey.

Last verified:

Visit New Jersey Department of Health

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

Cottage food laws in other states