Pennsylvania Cottage Food Laws

Pennsylvania's registration is inexpensive and the inspection is straightforward, and it leaves you with full wholesale and retail rights.

Fast facts

Permit
Limited food establishment registration + inspection
Annual sales cap
No limit
Online sales
Allowed
Shipping
Limited

What makes Pennsylvania different

  • Pennsylvania has no cottage food exemption — home bakers register as a limited food establishment
  • That requires an inspection of the home kitchen and an annual registration
  • In exchange there is no sales cap and no venue restriction

Where you can sell in Pennsylvania

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

What you can and can't make

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

Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture administers cottage food rules in Pennsylvania.

Last verified:

Visit Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture

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

Cottage food laws in other states