Ohio Cottage Food Laws

Ohio is one of the easiest states to start in. The catch is the product list: if your item isn't on ODA's approved list, it isn't a cottage food.

Fast facts

Permit
No license or registration required
Annual sales cap
No limit
Online sales
Allowed
Shipping
Limited

What makes Ohio different

  • No registration, license, inspection or sales cap
  • Ohio publishes a specific list of approved cottage food products
  • You may sell to retail stores as well as direct to consumers

Where you can sell in Ohio

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

What you can and can't make

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

Ohio 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 Ohio

Ohio Department of Agriculture administers cottage food rules in Ohio.

Last verified:

Visit Ohio Department of Agriculture

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

Cottage food laws in other states