Texas's Cottage Food Law
Texas operates under the Texas Cottage Food Law, which allows individuals to produce and sell certain non-potentially-hazardous foods made in a home kitchen. You don't need a commercial kitchen or a food handler's license to qualify. The law covers a wide range of shelf-stable products, including baked goods, jams, jellies, candy, and roasted nuts, as long as the items don't require refrigeration to remain safe.
You can sell your products directly to consumers through farmers markets, roadside stands, fairs, and from your home. Texas also allows online orders and shipping within the state, giving your business meaningful flexibility to reach customers beyond your local area. Sales to retailers or restaurants are not permitted under the cottage food law, so all transactions must be direct between you and the end consumer.
Your annual gross revenue from cottage food sales cannot exceed $50,000. No permit, license, or inspection is required before you start selling. Texas is one of the more permissive states in the country, and the addition of online sales and shipping makes it easier to build a real customer base. With low barriers to entry, you can focus on growing your product and your reputation.
Quick Summary
Texas cottage food law allows:
- •Baked goods (cakes, cookies, bread, pastries)
- •Jams, jellies, and preserves
- •Candy and fudge
- •Roasted nuts
- •Popcorn and popcorn balls
- •Dried herbs and herb mixes
Not allowed:
- •Meat and poultry products
- •Seafood products
- •Foods requiring refrigeration
- •Low-acid canned goods
- •Dairy-based products requiring refrigeration
- •Raw seed sprouts
Sales limit: $50,000 per year
Annual Limit
$50,000/year
Permit Required
No
Online Orders
Allowed
Shipping
Allowed
Permitted Foods
- ✓Baked goods (cakes, cookies, bread, pastries)
- ✓Jams, jellies, and preserves
- ✓Candy and fudge
- ✓Roasted nuts
- ✓Popcorn and popcorn balls
- ✓Dried herbs and herb mixes
- ✓Dehydrated fruits and vegetables
- ✓Cereal, granola, and trail mix
- ✓Coated or uncoated nuts
- ✓Vinegar and flavored vinegars
- ✓Pickles (high-acid only)
Prohibited Foods
- ✗Meat and poultry products
- ✗Seafood products
- ✗Foods requiring refrigeration
- ✗Low-acid canned goods
- ✗Dairy-based products requiring refrigeration
- ✗Raw seed sprouts
- ✗Cut fresh fruits and vegetables
- ✗Garlic-in-oil mixtures
Labeling Requirements
- ✓Producer's name and home address
- ✓Product name
- ✓Ingredients listed in descending order by weight
- ✓Net weight or net volume
- ✓Allergen disclosure
- ✓Required disclaimer: "This food is made in a home kitchen and is not inspected by the Department of State Health Services or a local health department."
Required Label Disclaimer
“This food is made in a home kitchen and is not inspected by the Department of State Health Services or a local health department.”
Starting a Home Bakery in Texas
Once you understand the cottage food rules, most Texas home bakers focus on three things:
- →Pricing recipes so they are profitable
- →Creating compliant labels
- →Managing orders and preorders
endvr helps Texas bakers do all three in one place.
Tools for Texas Cottage Food Bakers
Create compliant labels in seconds
endvr's label maker automatically includes the Texas required disclaimer and allergen labeling — so your labels are always inspection-ready.
Texas allows online orders
Launch an online bakery storefront
Since Texas permits online cottage food sales, endvr gives you a simple storefront where customers can browse, preorder, and pay — no website required.
Common Questions Texas Bakers Ask
Can I sell baked goods from home in Texas?+
Do I need a permit to sell cottage food in Texas?+
How much can I earn selling cottage food in Texas?+
Can I take orders online in Texas?+
Can I ship cottage food products in Texas?+
What foods can I sell from home in Texas?+
What labeling is required to sell cottage food in Texas?+
Common Texas cottage food questions
Bill tracking data provided by LegiScan