Selling homemade food in California

Allowed from a home kitchen

Sourdough bread · Cookies & brownies · Fruit pie · Cake with buttercream · Macarons · Fruit tamales · Strawberry jam · Granola · Spice rubs & seasoning blends · Roasted coffee · Loose-leaf tea blends · Dried fruit & fruit leather · Freeze-dried candy · Chocolates & truffles · Toffee, fudge & caramels · Marshmallows · Nut butter · Pure honey · Vanilla extract · Fruit-infused vinegar · Mustard (no egg)

Home kitchen, with a special license or program

Home-cooked meals

Needs a commercial kitchen or other license

Pumpkin pie · Cheesecake · Cake with cream cheese frosting · Meat tamales · Low-sugar or freezer jam · Pepper jelly · Shelf-stable salsa · Fresh salsa (refrigerated) · Hot sauce · Canned pickles · Sauerkraut & kimchi · Canned tomato sauce · Infused honey · Garlic or herb-infused oil · Beef jerky · Cheese & yogurt · Cold-pressed juice · Kombucha

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. Confirm the exact product and every ingredient fits the CDPH Approved Cottage Foods List.
2. Register as Class A (direct sales only) or get a Class B permit (adds sales through stores and restaurants) with your county Environmental Health.
3. Complete a food processor course within 3 months of registering.
4. Label every package.

Key label items

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

• “Made in a Home Kitchen” in 12-point type
• Registration or permit number and issuing county
• Business name and address
• Common name of the product
• Ingredients in descending order by weight
• Allergen declaration
• Net quantity in US and metric units
• Date label wording, if you use one
• Nutrition facts only if you make a claim