Cottage Food Law /US
A structured reference to state cottage food rules

United States · FL

Florida

Cottage Food Operation

Informational only — not legal advice. Verify every requirement with the official agency cited below before producing or selling food.

At a glance

Administering agency
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS)

Source: FDACS — Cottage Foods · Verified Sep 15, 2026

Permit required
No

Exempt from FDACS food permitting while annual gross sales of cottage food products stay at or under $250,000.

Source: Fla. Stat. § 500.80 (2026) · Verified Sep 15, 2026

License cost
None

No food permit is required, so there is no permit fee.

Source: FDACS — Cottage Foods · Verified Sep 15, 2026

Annual sales cap
$250,000

Raised from $50,000 to $250,000 by CS/HB 663 (ch. 2021-211), effective July 1, 2021. Sales at all locations count toward the limit.

Source: Fla. Stat. § 500.80 (2026) · Verified Sep 15, 2026

Training required
No

Neither s. 500.80 nor the FDACS page lists a training requirement.

Source: Fla. Stat. § 500.80 (2026) · Verified Sep 15, 2026

Home inspection
No

FDACS may inspect the premises only after receiving a complaint.

Source: Fla. Stat. § 500.80 (2026) · Verified Sep 15, 2026

Permit details

How it works
No FDACS food permit is required if the operation follows s. 500.80 and its annual gross sales of cottage food products do not exceed $250,000. FDACS may investigate complaints and inspect the premises only after a complaint. State and federal tax laws and certificates still apply.

Source: Fla. Stat. § 500.80 (2026) · Verified Sep 15, 2026

Allowed foods

Allowed
  • 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

Source: FDACS — Cottage Foods (Approved Cottage Food Products) · Verified Sep 15, 2026

Prohibited
  • Any food that requires time or temperature control for safety (TCS)
  • Fresh or dried meat or meat products, including jerky
  • Fish or shellfish products
  • Canned fruits and vegetables, chutneys, vegetable butters and jellies, flavored oils, hummus, garlic dip, salsas
  • Canned pickled products such as corn relish, pickles, and sauerkraut
  • Raw seed sprouts
  • Bakery goods that require refrigeration, such as cream, custard, or meringue pies and cakes or pastries with cream cheese icings or fillings
  • Milk and dairy products, including cheeses and yogurt
  • Cut fresh fruits or vegetables; juices made from fresh fruits or vegetables
  • Ice or ice products
  • Barbecue sauces, ketchups, mustards
  • Focaccia-style breads with vegetables or cheeses

The current FDACS page lists approved foods only. TCS foods are excluded by definition (Fla. Stat. § 500.03); the named examples come from FDACS guidance as quoted in the 2021 House analysis.

Source: Florida House staff analysis of CS/HB 663 (2021), listing FDACS prohibited cottage foods · Verified Sep 15, 2026

Labeling requirements

On every package
  • Name and address of the cottage food operation
  • Name of the cottage food product
  • Ingredients in descending order of predominance by weight
  • Net weight or net volume
  • Allergen information as specified by federal labeling requirements
  • Nutrition information, if any nutritional claim is made
  • Statement in at least 10-point type, in a contrasting color: "Made in a cottage food operation that is not subject to Florida's food safety regulations."

Products must be prepackaged with the label affixed.

Source: Fla. Stat. § 500.80 (2026) · Verified Sep 15, 2026

Sales channels

Where you can sell
  • In person: Yes
  • Farmers market: Yes
  • Online (in-state): Yes
  • Online (out-of-state shipping): No — not authorized
  • Delivery (in-state): Yes
  • Retail / wholesale resale: No
  • May sell and accept payment online or by mail order, and deliver in person, to an event venue, or by USPS or commercial mail carrier. Wholesale is not allowed. Free samples must be prepackaged. Products sold must be stored on the premises. Florida's exemption covers in-state sales only; shipping to another state falls under federal (FDA) jurisdiction, which s. 500.80 can't authorize.

Source: Fla. Stat. § 500.80 (2026) · Verified Sep 22, 2026

Caveats

  • Regulation of cottage food operations is preempted to the state: local laws may not prohibit them or regulate their preparation, storage, or sale.
  • Section 500.80 is a state exemption: it covers sales within Florida and can't authorize shipping cottage food to another state, where federal food rules apply.

Official sources

Page last reviewed: 2026-09-15

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