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What Is A Cottage Food Business

Florida law allows individuals to use their unlicensed home kitchens to produce for sale certain foods that present a low risk of foodborne illness. Cottage food operators can produce and sell these products directly to consumers without obtaining a food permit from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

  • Cottage food operators may sell cottage food products on their website, by mail order, and direct to consumer (in person).

  • Cottage food products cannot be sold wholesale. 

  • Cottage foods must be properly packaged and labeled. Cottage food operators can serve free samples for tasting, but the samples must be prepackaged. 

  • A cottage food operation must comply with all state or federal tax laws, rules, regulations or certificates that apply to all cottage food operations.

  • Approved Cottage Food Products

  • Loaf breads, rolls, biscuits

  • Cakes, pastries and cookies

  • Candies and confections

  • Honey

  • Jams, jellies and preserves

  • Fruit pies and dried fruits

  • Dry herbs, seasonings and mixtures

  • Homemade pasta

  • Cereals, trail mixes and granola

  • Coated or uncoated nuts

  • Vinegar and flavored vinegars

  • Popcorn and popcorn balls

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