Selling homemade food in Alabama

Allowed from a home kitchen

Sourdough bread · Cookies & brownies · Fruit pie · Strawberry jam · Shelf-stable salsa · Hot sauce · Canned pickles · Sauerkraut & kimchi · Granola · Spice rubs & seasoning blends · Roasted coffee · Loose-leaf tea blends · Dried fruit & fruit leather · Freeze-dried candy · Chocolates & truffles · Toffee, fudge & caramels · Marshmallows · Fruit-infused vinegar

Needs a commercial kitchen or other license

Pumpkin pie · Cheesecake · Cake with cream cheese frosting · Meat tamales · Fresh salsa (refrigerated) · Vanilla extract · Garlic or herb-infused oil · Home-cooked meals^‡ · Beef jerky^‡ · Cheese & yogurt^‡ · Cold-pressed juice^‡ · Kombucha

Ask the agency first

Cake with buttercream · Macarons · Fruit tamales · Low-sugar or freezer jam · Pepper jelly · Canned tomato sauce · Nut butter · Pure honey · Infused honey · Mustard (no egg)

Every product has conditions, such as registration, training, labeling, and sales limits. See the full guide for each one. ‡ General rule; not specifically addressed in this state's guidance.

How to start

1. Check that the product is on Alabama's allowed list. Pickles, salsas, sauerkraut, and BBQ sauce need water activity below 0.88 or pH below 4.2, tested by an approved lab.
2. Pass an ADPH-approved food safety course and keep it current.
3. Register with your county health department and get your labels approved.
4. Sell directly to Alabama consumers in person, by phone, or online, and deliver by mail, agent, or in person. No resale through stores or restaurants.
5. Label every package in at least 10-point type.

Key label items

Use the exact required wording shown in the full guide and on the agency's site.

• “This product may contain allergens. This food is not inspected by the Health Department.”
• Name of the person or business
• Physical address or P.O. box
• Common name of the food
• Ingredients and sub-ingredients in descending order by weight
• Recommended: “Contains” allergen statement and net weight