United States · FL
Florida
Cottage Food Operation
At a glance
- Administering agency
- Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS)
Source: https://www.fdacs.gov/Business-Services/Food-Establishments/Cottage-Foods · Verified Sep 18, 2025
- Permit required
- No
No license or permit required from FDACS.
Source: https://www.fdacs.gov/Business-Services/Food-Establishments/Cottage-Foods · Verified Sep 18, 2025
- License cost
- None
Source: https://www.fdacs.gov/Business-Services/Food-Establishments/Cottage-Foods · Verified Sep 18, 2025
- Annual sales cap
- $250,000
Cap raised to $250,000 by HB 1095 (2021).
Source: Fla. Stat. § 500.80 · Verified Sep 18, 2025
- Training required
- No
Source: https://www.fdacs.gov/Business-Services/Food-Establishments/Cottage-Foods · Verified Sep 18, 2025
- Home inspection
- No
Source: https://www.fdacs.gov/Business-Services/Food-Establishments/Cottage-Foods · Verified Sep 18, 2025
Permit details
- How it works
- Florida does not require any state license, permit, or inspection for cottage food operations.
Source: https://www.fdacs.gov/Business-Services/Food-Establishments/Cottage-Foods · Verified Sep 18, 2025
Allowed foods
- Allowed
- Loaves of bread, biscuits, rolls
- Cakes, pastries, cookies (not cream- or meat-filled)
- Candies and confections
- Honey
- Jams, jellies, preserves
- Fruit pies and fruit empanadas
- Dried fruits, dry herbs, dry baking mixes, dry pasta
- Granola, cereals, trail mixes
- Roasted coffee, dry tea
- Popcorn and popcorn balls
- Vinegar and flavored vinegars
Source: https://www.fdacs.gov/Business-Services/Food-Establishments/Cottage-Foods · Verified Sep 18, 2025
- Prohibited
- Any time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food
- Meat, poultry, seafood
- Dairy products (except as ingredient in non-TCS baked goods)
- Cream pies, cheesecakes, custard-filled items
- Pickled or fermented foods
- Hot-sauce, salsa, low-acid canned goods
Source: https://www.fdacs.gov/Business-Services/Food-Establishments/Cottage-Foods · Verified Sep 18, 2025
Labeling requirements
- On every package
- Name and address of the cottage food operation
- Common name of the product
- Ingredients in descending order by weight
- Net weight or net volume
- Allergen disclosure
- Statement (10-pt type): "Made in a cottage food operation that is not subject to Florida's food safety regulations."
Source: https://www.fdacs.gov/Business-Services/Food-Establishments/Cottage-Foods · Verified Sep 18, 2025
Sales channels
- Where you can sell
- In person: Yes
- Farmers market: Yes
- Online (in-state): Yes
- Online (out-of-state shipping): Yes
- Delivery (in-state): Yes
- Retail / wholesale resale: No
- HB 663 (2022) authorizes online sales and mail order within and across state lines, subject to applicable federal law. No wholesale or retail resale.
Source: https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2023/500.80 · Verified Sep 18, 2025
Caveats
- Interstate shipping is permitted under Florida law but the receiving state's laws still apply.
- Local zoning ordinances may still restrict home-based businesses.
Official sources
- FDACS — Cottage Foods · agency page
- Fla. Stat. § 500.80 · statute
Page last reviewed: 2025-09-18