Tennessee Cottage Food Laws

Tennessee is quietly one of the most workable states: nothing to file, no cap, and broad selling channels.

Fast facts

Permit
No permit required
Annual sales cap
No limit
Online sales
Allowed
Shipping
Limited

What makes Tennessee different

  • No license, permit or inspection for domestic kitchen baked goods
  • No annual sales cap
  • Tennessee allows sales through retail outlets as well as direct

Where you can sell in Tennessee

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

What you can and can't make

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

Tennessee 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 Tennessee

Tennessee Department of Agriculture administers cottage food rules in Tennessee.

Last verified:

Visit Tennessee Department of Agriculture

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

Cottage food laws in other states