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Ohio's Cottage Food Law

Ohio's cottage food law allows individuals to produce and sell certain non-potentially-hazardous foods made in a home kitchen. The law applies to home-based producers selling directly to end consumers. Covered products generally include baked goods, jams, jellies, candy, and other shelf-stable items that don't require refrigeration to stay safe. If your product can sit at room temperature without spoiling, it likely qualifies.

You can sell your cottage food products directly to customers at farmers markets, roadside stands, fairs, and similar in-person venues. Ohio also permits online orders, so you can take sales through a website or social media as long as the customer picks up or receives the product locally. Shipping your products through the mail or a carrier is not allowed under Ohio law.

Your gross annual sales can't exceed $40,000. No permit, license, or state registration is required before you start selling. Every product must carry the label disclaimer: "This product is home produced and is not subject to state inspection." The combination of no permit requirement and online order allowance makes Ohio a relatively accessible state for new cottage food businesses, and the $40,000 cap gives you real room to grow.

Quick Summary

Ohio cottage food law allows:

  • •Baked goods (bread, cookies, cakes, muffins, pastries)
  • •Jams, jellies, and preserves
  • •Candies and confections
  • •Roasted nuts
  • •Granola and trail mix
  • •Honey

Not allowed:

  • •Meat and poultry products
  • •Items requiring refrigeration
  • •Low-acid canned goods
  • •Dairy-based products
  • •Cut fresh fruits and vegetables
  • •Potentially hazardous foods (foods that support bacterial growth)

Sales limit: $40,000 per year

Annual Limit

$40,000/year

Permit Required

No

Online Orders

Allowed

Shipping

Not Allowed

Permitted Foods

  • ✓Baked goods (bread, cookies, cakes, muffins, pastries)
  • ✓Jams, jellies, and preserves
  • ✓Candies and confections
  • ✓Roasted nuts
  • ✓Granola and trail mix
  • ✓Honey
  • ✓Dried herbs and spices
  • ✓Popcorn and popcorn balls

Prohibited Foods

  • ✗Meat and poultry products
  • ✗Items requiring refrigeration
  • ✗Low-acid canned goods
  • ✗Dairy-based products
  • ✗Cut fresh fruits and vegetables
  • ✗Potentially hazardous foods (foods that support bacterial growth)

Labeling Requirements

  • ✓Producer's name and home address
  • ✓Product name
  • ✓Full ingredient list in descending order by weight
  • ✓Major food allergen disclosure
  • ✓Net weight or net volume
  • ✓Required disclaimer: "This product is home produced and is not subject to state inspection."

Required Label Disclaimer

“This product is home produced and is not subject to state inspection.”

Starting a Home Bakery in Ohio

Once you understand the cottage food rules, most Ohio home bakers focus on three things:

  • →Pricing recipes so they are profitable
  • →Creating compliant labels
  • →Managing orders and preorders

endvr helps Ohio bakers do all three in one place.

Tools for Ohio Cottage Food Bakers

Create compliant labels in seconds

endvr's label maker automatically includes the Ohio required disclaimer and allergen labeling — so your labels are always inspection-ready.

Download on the App StoreOr sign up on web →

Ohio allows online orders

Launch an online bakery storefront

Since Ohio permits online cottage food sales, endvr gives you a simple storefront where customers can browse, preorder, and pay — no website required.

Get your free storefrontDownload the iOS app →

Common Questions Ohio Bakers Ask

Can I sell baked goods from home in Ohio?+
Yes. Ohio's cottage food law permits individuals to produce and sell certain non-potentially-hazardous foods from their home kitchen directly to consumers without a commercial kitchen license.
Do I need a permit to sell cottage food in Ohio?+
No permit is required in Ohio to sell cottage food products, though you must still comply with labeling requirements and sales restrictions.
How much can I earn selling cottage food in Ohio?+
Ohio cottage food producers may earn up to $40,000 per year from direct sales. Sales above this limit may require a commercial food license.
Can I take orders online in Ohio?+
Yes. Ohio permits online orders for cottage food products. However, products must typically be delivered directly to the buyer in person — shipping is not permitted.
Can I ship cottage food products in Ohio?+
No. Ohio does not allow shipping of cottage food products. Sales must be completed through direct, in-person transactions with the consumer.
What foods can I sell from home in Ohio?+
Under Ohio's cottage food law, permitted products include Baked goods (bread, cookies, cakes, muffins, pastries), Jams, jellies, and preserves, Candies and confections, Roasted nuts, Granola and trail mix, Honey and others. Generally, any food that does not require refrigeration for safety qualifies. Foods with cream, custard, or meat fillings are typically not allowed.
What labeling is required to sell cottage food in Ohio?+
Ohio requires cottage food labels to include: Producer's name and home address; Product name; Full ingredient list in descending order by weight; Major food allergen disclosure. Labels must also display the disclaimer: "This product is home produced and is not subject to state inspection.".

Common Ohio cottage food questions

→ Can I sell cottage food online in Ohio?→ Can I ship cottage food in Ohio?→ What is Ohio's cottage food sales limit?→ What are Ohio's labeling requirements?→ Can I use cream cheese frosting in Ohio?

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