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

Guide · Selling from home

Can I sell coffee & tea from home in Illinois?

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

Yes — coffee & tea is allowed under Illinois cottage food law.

On Illinois's allowed list

  • Any food or drink other than the prohibited items listed
  • Baked goods and candy that are not time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods may contain dairy (e.g., caramel, buttercream frosting)
  • Cooked (not raw) eggs as an ingredient in non-TCS foods, including dry noodles, or in baked-good frosting
  • Fermented and acidified foods (e.g., pickles, kimchi, hot sauce) with a tested recipe or an approved food safety plan and pH test
  • Time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods not on the prohibited list, held and transported at required temperatures (may not be shipped)

410 ILCS 625/4 (Food Handling Regulation Enforcement Act, Sec. 4), subsec. (a), (b)(1.5)–(3), (12), (14) · Verified 2026-09-25

Status is derived from Illinois's official allowed and prohibited foods lists. Even when a food is allowed, you still must meet that state's permit, labeling, and sales-channel rules.

Read the full Illinois cottage food page or see the Coffee & Tea category across states.