Tennessee Cottage Food Law 2026
Last reviewed:
No License Needed
Limit: Unlimited / Year
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
CottageFoodLicense.com is an informational platform, not a law firm. The information provided by our AI Checker, templates, and guides does not constitute legal advice. Cottage food laws change frequently. You must verify all information with your local health department before selling products.
Allowed
- ✓Baked goods (breads, cookies, cakes, pies including cream pies, cheesecakes, cream-filled pastries)
- ✓Candies, fudge, chocolates
- ✓Jams, jellies, preserves, marmalades, fruit butters, applesauce, chutneys
- ✓Acidified foods and low-acid canned foods (pickles, fermented vegetables, sauces) — TN is one of only ~3 states permitting LACF under cottage law
- ✓Dried fruits, granola, roasted nuts, nut butters, honey, maple syrup
- ✓Hot sauces, spice mixes, coffee, tea blends
- ✓Pasteurized dairy products (butter, yogurt, hard cheese, kefir) and eggs — added by HB 130, effective 7/1/2025
- ✓Poultry products (rotisserie chicken, soups, pot pies) under federal 1,000-bird exemption or inspected poultry; max 75 lb per transaction — added 7/1/2025
Prohibited
- ✕Unpasteurized (raw) milk and raw-dairy products
- ✕Red meat (beef, pork, lamb) and meat byproducts
- ✕Fish and shellfish
- ✕Alcoholic beverages
- ✕Cannabis/THC-infused products
Labeling Protocols
01Required disclaimer (verbatim): 'This product was produced at a private residence that is exempt from state licensing and inspection. This product may contain allergens.'
02Display on the package label (if packaged), on a placard at point of sale (if unpackaged), on the webpage (if sold online), or disclosed orally for phone/custom orders
03TFFA exempts homemade food from state labeling laws — no other label elements are statutorily required, though producer name/ingredients/net weight are best practice
FAQs
Do I need a license, permit, or registration?
No. Under the Tennessee Food Freedom Act (T.C.A. § 53-1-118), homemade food producers are exempt from all state licensing, permitting, inspection, packaging, and labeling requirements. No fees, no training, no inspection.
Is there a sales cap?
No. Tennessee imposes no gross-sales cap, no income limit, and no production volume limit — one of the most permissive cottage food laws in the U.S.
Can I sell pickles, fermented foods, or canned goods?
Yes. Tennessee is one of only about three states that allows acidified foods AND low-acid canned foods (pickles, sauerkraut, canned vegetables, hot sauces) under its cottage food law.
Can I sell dairy or meat products?
Pasteurized dairy (butter, yogurt, hard cheese, kefir) and eggs are allowed as of July 1, 2025 (HB 130). Poultry is allowed under the federal 1,000-bird exemption or using inspected poultry (max 75 lb per transaction). Red meat (beef, pork, lamb), fish, shellfish, and raw milk remain prohibited.
Can I sell wholesale to stores?
Yes for non-perishable products — to retail stores, co-ops, specialty food shops, gift shops, and farm stores. Perishable (TCS) foods can only be sold in-person direct to consumer. Selling to restaurants for resale in their dishes is prohibited for all products.
Can I sell online or ship?
Yes, within Tennessee — own website, social media, Etsy, with in-state shipping or delivery. Out-of-state (interstate) shipping is prohibited under federal FDA jurisdiction. Perishable foods cannot be shipped at all.
What Comes Next
After You Verify Compliance: Your Next 4 Steps
Some links below are affiliate links — we earn a small commission at no cost to you. We only recommend services we'd suggest to a friend. Full disclosure.
- 01
Liability Shield
Form an LLC
Separating your personal finances from your cottage food business protects your home and savings if a customer ever brings a claim. Both providers below file in all 50 states and handle registered agent service for Tennessee.
- 02
Protect Your Kitchen
Get Product Liability Insurance
A single allergy incident or contamination claim can erase years of profit. FLIP (Food Liability Insurance Program) is built specifically for cottage food operators — flat-rate annual policies with farmers market and online sales coverage included.
- 03
Recommended in Tennessee
Complete Food Safety Training
Tennessee does not mandate food safety training, but completing one builds buyer trust and protects you if a labeling or handling question ever arises. Learn2Serve's online course takes a few hours.
- 04
Production Ready
Set Up Your Kitchen and Labels
The right thermometers, storage containers, scale, and label printer turn a home kitchen into a compliant production space. Our Week 11 equipment guide walks through what we use and the Tennessee-specific labeling fields you'll need.
Official Sources
Verify current requirements directly with the state:
At a Glance
Permit Fee
$0
No fee. No license, permit, registration, inspection, or food-safety training is required. TFFA preempts local jurisdictions from regulating homemade food producers.
Renewal
N/A (no license to renew)
Shipping