Cottage Food Law Map › Product guides › Sourdough bread

Product guide · Last reviewed October 2026

Can you sell sourdough bread from home?

Every state allow sourdough bread to be made in a home kitchen under cottage food rules, often with conditions. Here's why, and where each state lands.

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The food science

Bread is among the lower-risk foods to make at home. Baking destroys most harmful bacteria, and the finished loaf generally has a low enough water activity, a measure of how much water is available for microbial growth, to be kept at room temperature. Sourdough fermentation also lowers the pH of the dough, which adds another layer of protection. This is why bread is allowed as a cottage food in nearly every state.

Where sourdough bread can be made at home

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Allowed from a home kitchen

Select a state to open its guide. Every state's conditions are listed below the map.

Allowed from a home kitchen (51)

Developing sourdough bread?

Mendocino Food Consulting helps food entrepreneurs with formulation, pH, and shelf-stability questions. We are food scientists, not attorneys, and we don't provide legal advice.

Rules summarized from the sources listed in each state's guide, reviewed October 2026. Each state's conditions and exceptions are described in its guide; confirm with the agency before selling.

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