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

United States · NC

North Carolina

Home Processor (home processing program)

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

At a glance

Administering agency
North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS), Food and Drug Protection Division

Source: NCDA&CS Food & Drug Protection — Home Processor · Verified Sep 25, 2026

Permit required
No

No permit is issued, but the home kitchen must pass an NCDA&CS inspection before any food is sold. Inspected home processors receive a "Notice of Inspection."

Source: NCDA&CS Food & Drug Protection — Home Processor · Verified Sep 25, 2026

License cost
None

NCDA&CS says a permit is not issued; neither its Home Processor page nor the application lists a fee. Product lab testing, well-water testing, and local permits may cost money.

Source: NCDA&CS Food & Drug Protection — Home Processor · Verified Sep 25, 2026

Annual sales cap
No cap

No sales limit appears in NCDA&CS home processor guidance or the application.

Source: NCDA&CS Food & Drug Protection — Home Processor · Verified Sep 25, 2026

Training required
No

NCDA&CS guidance lists no general training requirement. Producers of acidified foods may be required to take an Acidified Food Course and submit the certificate with the application.

Source: NCDA&CS Food & Drug Protection — Home Processor · Verified Sep 25, 2026

Home inspection
Yes

The home kitchen must be inspected before selling. Home processors are treated as food manufacturing facilities and must meet federal Good Manufacturing Practices (21 CFR 117 Subpart B) and the N.C. Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

Source: NCDA&CS Food & Drug Protection — Home Processor · Verified Sep 25, 2026

Permit details

How it works
Before selling, submit an Application for Home Processor Inspection with a business plan, a water bill or well-water test, and a sample label. NCDA&CS schedules an on-site kitchen inspection, typically 8 to 12 weeks after receiving the application. No permit is issued; after a compliant inspection you may produce and sell. Production must be in the home kitchen itself (not a garage, basement, or separate building), and no pets may enter the home. Check local zoning and any HOA or lease rules first.

Source: NCDA&CS Food & Drug Protection — Home Processor · Verified Sep 25, 2026

Allowed foods

Allowed
  • Baked goods that do not require refrigeration
  • Jams, jellies, and preserves
  • Candy
  • Freeze-dried candy
  • Dried mixes and spices
  • Some liquids (e.g., iced tea, coffee, lemonade)
  • Some sauces (e.g., balsamic dressing), after evaluation for shelf stability
  • Acid and acidified foods (e.g., pickles, BBQ sauce), with extra requirements

Only low-risk, shelf-stable foods that need no refrigeration or freezing. The list is examples ("may include"). Products without a standard of identity (e.g., apple butter) need extra evaluation. The application also lists honey and peanuts as production types.

Source: NCDA&CS Food & Drug Protection — Home Processor (Step 1) · Verified Sep 25, 2026

Prohibited
  • Refrigerated or frozen products
  • Low-acid canned foods (e.g., jarred fruits, vegetables)
  • Dairy products
  • Seafood products
  • Bottled water and juice products
  • Bakery products with cream or cream cheese fillings; cheesecakes

High-risk foods "include, but are not limited to" these, and can only be produced commercially. Prepackaged products bought from a retailer or wholesaler that need refrigeration are also excluded.

Source: NCDA&CS Food & Drug Protection — Home Processor (Step 1) · Verified Sep 25, 2026

Labeling requirements

On every package
  • Product name
  • Manufacturer's name and physical address (a website address can't substitute)
  • Net weight in ounces/pounds with the gram equivalent (or fluid ounces with the mL equivalent)
  • Complete ingredient list in descending order of predominance by weight, with sub-ingredients in parentheses
  • Major allergens (milk, egg, tree nuts, wheat, soy, peanuts, sesame, fish, shellfish) in the ingredient list or a "Contains" statement
  • Nutrition label only if claims are made (e.g., low fat, sugar free)

Labels are required for products packaged for self-service, sold wholesale to stores, distributors, or restaurants, or shipped (e.g., USPS, FedEx). Products sold on demand directly to consumers (home pickup, delivery, events, behind the counter at a market) can be unlabeled, but ingredient information must be available on request. A sample label is submitted with the application.

Source: NCDA&CS Food & Drug Protection — Home Processor (Step 7) · Verified Sep 25, 2026

Sales channels

Where you can sell
  • In person: Yes
  • Farmers market: Yes
  • Online (in-state): Not addressed
  • Online (out-of-state shipping): Not addressed
  • Delivery (in-state): Yes
  • Retail / wholesale resale: Yes
  • NCDA&CS covers sales directly to consumers (including home pickup, delivery, and special events), at farmers' markets, and to retail stores, distributors, and restaurants. Shipped products (e.g., USPS, FedEx) must be labeled. The guidance doesn't address online sales or whether shipping may cross state lines.

Source: NCDA&CS Food & Drug Protection — Home Processor · Verified Sep 25, 2026

Caveats

  • North Carolina has no cottage food statute; the home processor program is run by NCDA&CS under the N.C. Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.
  • Any pet that comes into the home, even only at night, disqualifies the kitchen under Good Manufacturing Practices.
  • A 2025 bill (H 833, the FRESH Act) would expand the program to some refrigerated and frozen foods; its last action was a committee referral on April 16, 2025, and it is not law.

Official sources

Page last reviewed: 2026-09-25

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