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

Guide · Selling from home

Can I sell baked goods from home in Indiana?

Informational only, not legal advice.

Yes, with limits — Indiana allows some baked goods but prohibits others.

"With limits" means Indiana's allowed list and its prohibited list both name baked goods items. Check which list your product is on.

What Indiana's food lists say about baked goods

On the allowed list

  • Baked goods that are not TCS (e.g., cakes, cupcakes, cake pops, cookies, breads, bagels, sourdough, pretzels, quick bread, scones, baklava, kolache, muffins), with icing only if commercially prepared or from a science-based academic recipe and classified as non-TCS
  • Pies with high acid fruits or fillings, and pecan pies; pastries and doughnuts filled with commercially prepared jam or homemade high acid fruit jam
  • Baking mixes (cake, cookies, or bread)

Source: Indiana Department of Health — Indiana Home-Based Vendor Handbook (Summer 2025) · Verified Oct 21, 2026

On the prohibited list

  • Cheesecake; cream, custard, meringue, sweet potato, pumpkin, and vegetable pies; fruit tarts; pumpkin roll unless the icing is commercially prepared or from a science-based academic recipe and non-TCS

Source: Indiana Department of Health — Indiana Home-Based Vendor Handbook (Summer 2025) · Verified Oct 21, 2026

How Indiana reads its lists

The statute has no list of allowed foods: a home-based vendor may prepare and sell only food that is not a time temperature control for safety food (Ind. Code § 16-42-5.3-4(2), as amended by P.L.151-2024). The examples are from IDOH's handbook, which says its list "is neither complete nor all-inclusive"; for an unlisted product, contact the local health department or Purdue University Extension FEMI. Some products need pH or water activity testing.

Source: Indiana Department of Health — Indiana Home-Based Vendor Handbook (Summer 2025) · Verified Oct 21, 2026

IDOH's handbook lists these as TCS foods or as products not considered HBV products, and says the list is not all-inclusive. Its FAQ answers "No" to pickled or acidified foods, fermented food, from-scratch barbecue or hot sauce, supplements, and homemade vanilla extract. Pet food is regulated by the Office of Indiana State Chemist; meat and meat fillings by the Board of Animal Health.

Source: Indiana Department of Health — Indiana Home-Based Vendor Handbook (Summer 2025) · Verified Oct 21, 2026

Selling baked goods in Indiana: permit, cost, and where to sell

Do I need a permit to sell baked goods from home in Indiana?

Indiana does not require a state-issued permit for cottage food.

Source: Ind. Code ch. 16-42-5.3 (Home Based Food Products), Indiana Code 2026, §§ 16-42-5.3-3, 16-42-5.3-12 · Verified Oct 21, 2026

The program is run by the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH), Division of Food Protection; enforced by local health departments.

Source: Indiana Department of Health — Indiana Home-Based Vendor Handbook (Summer 2025) · Verified Oct 21, 2026

How much does a Indiana cottage food license cost?

Indiana does not charge a state cottage food license fee.

Source: Indiana Department of Health — Indiana Home-Based Vendor Handbook (Summer 2025), FAQ · Verified Oct 21, 2026

Is there a limit on how much I can sell in Indiana?

Indiana sets no overall annual sales cap for cottage food.

Source: Indiana Department of Health — Farm and Homestead Food Sales memorandum to local health departments (May 26, 2026) · Verified Oct 21, 2026

Where can I sell baked goods in Indiana?

In person: Yes; farmers markets: Yes; online orders within Indiana: Yes; shipping to other states: No; delivery within Indiana: Yes; sales to stores or for resale: No.

Source: Ind. Code ch. 16-42-5.3 (Home Based Food Products), Indiana Code 2026, §§ 16-42-5.3-4, 16-42-5.3-6 · Verified Oct 21, 2026

Food must be sold in person, by telephone, or through the Internet, and delivered to the end consumer in person, by mail, or by a third party carrier. A home-based vendor may not ship or deliver to an end consumer outside Indiana. Products may not be resold: no sales to a warehouse, retail food establishment, wholesaler, or anyone who will distribute them further. IDOH lists farmers markets, events, and roadside stands as HBV sale locations; a farmers market cannot require a food license but may ask for the food handler certificate, and event organizers may bar HBV goods. IDOH says the producer must make in-person sales themselves (products cannot be sold on their behalf) and may sell from another business only while physically present. Shipped or delivered food must be in a tamper-evident sealed package, and the vendor must keep each customer's shipping or delivery address for at least one year.

Source: Ind. Code ch. 16-42-5.3 (Home Based Food Products), Indiana Code 2026, §§ 16-42-5.3-4, 16-42-5.3-6 · Verified Oct 21, 2026

Do I need training or a kitchen inspection in Indiana?

Indiana requires food safety training.

Source: Ind. Code ch. 16-42-5.3 (Home Based Food Products), Indiana Code 2026, § 16-42-5.3-7 · Verified Oct 21, 2026

Indiana does not require a home kitchen inspection.

Source: Indiana Department of Health — Indiana Home-Based Vendor Handbook (Summer 2025) · Verified Oct 21, 2026

Labeling baked goods in Indiana

Indiana's cited labeling rules list 8 requirements. The full list is in the Indiana labeling guide.

Source: Ind. Code ch. 16-42-5.3 (Home Based Food Products), Indiana Code 2026, § 16-42-5.3-5 · Verified Oct 21, 2026

Other foods in Indiana