Florida · Cottage Food Operation

Florida cottage food label requirements and permit checklist

Answer a few plain-English questions about what you make and how you want to sell it. We check it against Florida's cottage food operation exemption, flag anything that isn't on FDACS's allowed list, and build you a personalized checklist and a printable food label.

Free permit walk-through Free label generation Free checklist
Free customized label/checklist after walk-through completion

Built from the public Florida Statutes and FDACS guidance. Not legal advice and not state approval — rules can change, so verify final requirements with FDACS before selling.

  • Free permit walk-throughSee right away if a choice would block you from selling under Florida's cottage food exemption.
  • Free checklistYour answers folded into Florida's current requirements, ready to print or save as PDF.
  • Free label generationThe required Florida disclosure statement plus name, address, and product details, assembled into a printable draft.

Can I sell homemade food in Florida?

Often yes — Florida's cottage food operation exemption needs no permit, license, registration, or routine inspection for shelf-stable foods on FDACS's allowed list, up to $250,000 in annual gross sales. Florida is more flexible than many states on sales channels: online orders and shipping across state lines are allowed, though wholesale and consignment sale are not. Refrigerated baked goods, dairy, eggs, meat, seafood, and canned low-acid foods are excluded. The wizard below checks the choices that commonly change the answer.

Florida label requirements

  • Product name and ingredients in descending order by weight
  • Major allergens
  • Net weight or volume
  • Your name/business name and home address
  • “Made in a cottage food operation that is not subject to Florida's food safety regulations” in at least 10-point contrasting type

Common Florida cottage food blockers

  • Baked goods needing refrigeration (custard, cream cheese icing/filling)
  • Dairy, eggs, meat, fish, or shellfish products
  • Canned low-acid foods, pickled products, salsa, or sauces
  • Cut fresh produce, raw sprouts, or CBD/hemp products
  • Wholesale or consignment sale to a retailer or restaurant
  • Annual gross sales above $250,000