Georgia cottage food law for home bakers

The short version

Georgia dropped its cottage food license in 2025, still sets no dollar cap on sales, lets her sell online and even to a retail store or restaurant unless her city or county opts out, and requires the all-capitals inspection notice on every label.

She still completes a food safety training course and can ask for an identification number instead of printing her address.

Registering

The rule is administered by Georgia Department of Agriculture; the guide reads O.C.G.A. §§ 26-2-470 et seq. (House Bill 398, 2025); Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 40-7-19 (pending revision to match HB 398).

As of July 2025 she files nothing with the state to sell direct to a Georgia consumer. She does need an ANSI-accredited food safety course, and Food Handler training clears that bar. If she would rather not print her home address on her labels, she can request an Identification Number from the Department instead.

Where you can sell, and whether online counts

House Bill 398 lets her sell to the end consumer inside Georgia, and now to a retail store, restaurant or convenience store too, unless her own city or county has passed an ordinance opting out of that part. A city or county cannot stop a delivery company from carrying her products. Nothing crosses the state line.

What goes on the label

The statement above goes on the label in capital letters, Times New Roman or Arial, at least 10-point type, in a color that stands out from the background. Her name and address, the product name, the ingredients by weight, the net weight, and the allergens finish the label.

"MADE IN A COTTAGE FOOD OPERATION THAT IS NOT SUBJECT TO STATE FOOD SAFETY INSPECTIONS"

Printed in all capitals, Times New Roman or Arial, as the Department's FAQ states it

• Name and address of the Cottage Food operation
• Common name or description of the Cottage Food product
• The ingredients in descending order of predominance by weight
• The net weight or net volume of the Cottage Food product
• Allergen labeling as specified in federal labeling requirements

What you can bake and sell

Baked goods, jams and jellies and similar shelf-stable items are hers to sell. Anything built around cooked vegetables, fruit butters, cider or another beverage, or a food that needs refrigeration to stay safe, is not.

• Allowed: Loaf breads, rolls, biscuits, cakes, pastries, cookies, fruit pies and similar baked goods, plus jams, jellies and other shelf-stable items, made in her home kitchen
• Not allowed: Anything made with cooked vegetables such as salsa, tomato sauce or foccacia with roasted vegetables, fruit butters, cider and other beverages, and anything that needs refrigeration

The sales cap

Georgia sets no cap on cottage food sales; no dollar cap; current regime under House Bill 398 (O.C.G.A. §§ 26-2-470 et seq.).

Work out how much room you have left this year with the cottage food sales cap checker.

What changed

July 1, 2025: House Bill 398 removed the state cottage food license and its fee, allowed sales to retail stores, restaurants and convenience stores (subject to a local opt-out), and added the optional Identification Number for the label.

Questions people ask

Do I need to register to sell cottage food in Georgia?

No, Georgia does not require registration. No license or fee since House Bill 398 (2025); she completes an ANSI-accredited food safety training program (Food Handler level is accepted), and may ask the Department for an optional Identification Number to print on her label instead of her home address. Fee: No fee for the optional Identification Number.

Has the cottage food sales cap in Georgia changed over time?

no cap from July 1, 2025.

Can I take orders online in Georgia?

Yes, you can take orders online. You can hand an order over in person or send it anywhere inside the state.

Can I deliver or ship cottage food in Georgia?

Delivery is allowed. The rule does not address shipping inside the state.

What does my Georgia cottage food label need to say?

The label must say: MADE IN A COTTAGE FOOD OPERATION THAT IS NOT SUBJECT TO STATE FOOD SAFETY INSPECTIONS

Sources

• Georgia Department of Agriculture: Cottage Foodagr.georgia.gov
• Georgia Department of Agriculture: Cottage Food FAQagr.georgia.gov
• Cottage Food Update: House Bill 398 & Frequently Asked Questions (GDA fact sheet)agr.georgia.gov