Home food business guide · Last reviewed October 2026
Cottage Food Laws in Utah
Utah has no annual sales cap on most home food sales (No cap). No state food permit is required for cottage food, though local requirements may still apply. Some foods that need refrigeration are allowed, with conditions, which is less common. Of the 40 common products in our finder, 28 can be made in a home kitchen in Utah, many with conditions.
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 Utah, 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. Allowed under the Homemade Food Act. For store sales, UDAF's cottage permit covers baked goods without dairy fillings or frosting.
Cookies & brownies. Allowed under the Homemade Food Act. For store sales, UDAF's cottage permit covers baked goods without dairy fillings or frosting.
Home-cooked meals. Prepared foods are allowed under the Homemade Food Act, sold directly. Meat is excluded except small-scale poultry or rabbit. Utah also offers microenterprise home kitchen permits through local health departments.
Needs a commercial kitchen
Meat tamales. Meat is excluded, except small-scale poultry or rabbit.
Cheese & yogurt. Raw dairy is excluded; other dairy products need a license.
Regulated separately
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.
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
Pepper jelly. Not excluded under the Homemade Food Act, but acidified foods carry a botulism risk. Use a tested recipe.
Shelf-stable salsa. Not excluded under the Homemade Food Act; use a tested recipe.
Hot sauce. Not excluded under the Homemade Food Act; use a tested recipe.
Canned pickles. Not excluded under the Homemade Food Act; use a tested recipe.
Kombucha. Alcohol content and fermentation control raise questions.
How to start selling from home
Make sure the product isn't raw dairy or meat (small-scale poultry and rabbit are exceptions).
No UDAF permit or training is needed, but you need a local business license.
Sell directly to consumers in Utah only. No consignment, stores, or restaurants.
Label every product (see the checklist below).
Legal paths
Homemade Food Act
Where
Your home
Sell
Directly to consumers in Utah. No consignment, stores, or restaurants; some markets accept it with signage.
Sales cap
None
Paperwork
Local business license only
UDAF cottage food permit
Where
Your home kitchen
Sell
Shelf-stable foods directly, through Utah stores, and on consignment. No shipping.
Sales cap
None stated
Paperwork
UDAF permit, business license, food handler permit, recipe and label review
Commercial kitchen
Where
A licensed commercial kitchen
Sell
Wholesale, restaurants, and meat products
Sales cap
None
Paperwork
UDAF or local health department license; usually FDA registration
Commercial canning
Where
Licensed commercial facility
Sell
Acidified and low-acid canned foods
Sales cap
None
Paperwork
Process authority review, FDA scheduled-process filing
Label requirements
Utah's two home paths have different label rules.
Homemade Food Act: “not for resale” and “processed and prepared without the benefit of state or local inspection”
Homemade Food Act: producer's name and address, and any allergens. A full ingredient list isn't required.
UDAF cottage permit: “home produced” next to the product name
UDAF cottage permit: net weight, name and address, ingredients, and the nine major allergens
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.