Home food business guide · Last reviewed October 2026
Cottage Food Laws in Indiana
Indiana has no annual sales cap on most home food sales (No cap (HBV); $1.5M (homestead vendors)). No state food permit is required for cottage food, though local requirements may still apply. A limited set of refrigerated foods is allowed, with conditions. Of the 40 common products in our finder, 13 can be made in a home kitchen in Indiana, many with conditions, and 1 more with a special license or program.
Not for home based vendors; homestead vendors can sell some prepared foods (July 2026)
Quick facts are summarized from 50-state trackers (Ardent Seller, reviewed October 1, 2026, cross-checked with PermitDeck and Food Business Pros). Where the details below differ, follow the state sources listed at the bottom of this page and confirm with the agency.
How 40 common products are treated in Indiana, with the condition or reason for each. Items marked "general rule" weren't specifically addressed in the state's guidance.
Allowed from a home kitchen
Sourdough bread. Non-TCS baked goods like cakes, cookies, and breads are allowed.
Cookies & brownies. Non-TCS baked goods like cakes, cookies, and breads are allowed.
Home-cooked meals. Prepared foods may be sold under the new homestead vendor law if made primarily from your own property. Home based vendors can't sell them.
Needs a commercial kitchen
Pumpkin pie. Cream pies and other TCS foods aren't allowed for home based vendors.
Beef jerky. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Meat products need USDA or state meat inspection, regardless of kitchen.
Cheese & yogurt. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Dairy products are licensed separately, through the state's dairy program.
Cold-pressed juice. General rule, not specifically addressed in this state's guidance; ask the agency to confirm. Juices aren't home-kitchen foods. Wholesale juice needs a Juice HACCP plan with a 5-log pathogen reduction.
Ask the agency first
Cake with buttercream. Homemade buttercream is allowed only from a lab-tested recipe followed exactly, or a commercial shelf-stable frosting.
Macarons. Not clearly addressed in the state's guidance; ask the agency.
Fruit tamales. Not clearly addressed in the state's guidance; ask the agency.
Marshmallows. Not clearly addressed in the state's guidance; ask the agency.
Infused honey. Not clearly addressed in the state's guidance; ask the agency.
Fruit-infused vinegar. Not clearly addressed in the state's guidance; ask the agency.
Mustard (no egg). Not clearly addressed in the state's guidance; ask the agency.
How to start selling from home
Check that the product doesn't need refrigeration and isn't excluded (acidified, fermented, kombucha, homemade extracts, and others).
Get a food handler certificate from an ANSI-accredited provider.
No permit or inspection is needed, but check local zoning.
Sell directly to Indiana consumers in person, by phone, or online, and deliver in person, by mail, or by carrier. Keep each buyer's address for a year.
Label every product and post labels on your website (see the checklist below).
Legal paths
Home based vendor
Where
Your primary residence
Sell
Directly to Indiana consumers in person, by phone, or online, with delivery in person, by mail, or by carrier. No stores, restaurants, or wholesale.
Sales cap
None stated
Paperwork
No permit; food handler certificate
Homestead vendor or small farm
Where
Your residence or farm property (from July 1, 2026)
Sell
Food made primarily from your property, including meat processed under state rules, directly to Indiana consumers
Sales cap
$1.5 million gross per year
Paperwork
No license; food handler certificate if you ship or deliver
Commercial kitchen
Where
A commercial facility
Sell
Wholesale, stores, restaurants, and TCS foods
Sales cap
None
Paperwork
IDOH registration or local permit; usually FDA registration
Commercial canning
Where
Licensed commercial facility
Sell
Pickles, salsas, sauces, and canned foods
Sales cap
None
Paperwork
IDOH registration, process authority review, FDA scheduled-process filing
Label requirements
Required on home based vendor products (a sign works for unpackaged food). Allergen labeling is encouraged.
“This product is home produced and processed and the production area has not been inspected by the state department of health. NOT FOR RESALE.”. At least 10-point type.
Producer's name and primary residence address. No P.O. boxes.
Common or usual name of the product
Ingredients in descending order by weight
Net weight or volume
Date the product was processed
Post each label on your website
Turning a recipe into a product?
Mendocino Food Consulting helps food entrepreneurs with food science, formulation, and process questions. We are food scientists, not attorneys, and we don't provide legal advice.