Pennsylvania cottage food laws
A plain-language summary of what Pennsylvania's cottage food law lets home bakers make, where you can sell it, and what the state asks of you. Always confirm the specifics with the official sources linked below.
- License / registration
- Required
- Where you can sell
- Direct, markets
- Labeling
- Required
What can I sell under Pennsylvania's cottage food law?
Cottage food programs cover foods that are safe at room temperature. In Pennsylvania, that generally includes:
- Baked goods that are not potentially hazardous (breads, cookies, cakes)
- Candy and confections
- Jams, jellies, and fruit preserves
- Dry mixes, granola, and roasted coffee
- Acidified and canned foods with an approved process
What can't I sell?
Foods that need refrigeration to stay safe are almost always off limits. Common examples that fall outside Pennsylvania's program:
- Refrigerated or cream-filled baked goods
- Products made without the required registration or inspection
Do I need a license in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania regulates home food businesses as “Limited Food Establishments,” which require registration with the Department of Agriculture and a kitchen inspection.
Sales cap: Pennsylvania does not set a dollar sales cap, but home food businesses are registered and inspected rather than exempt.
Where can I sell in Pennsylvania?
- Direct to consumers
- Farmers markets and events
- Retail and wholesale, within the terms of the registration
How do I label cottage foods in Pennsylvania?
Label must include product name, the producer's name and address, ingredients in descending order by weight, allergens, and net weight.
Official sources
Last reviewed July 2026.
Not legal advice. This guide is a summary for convenience, not legal advice. Cottage food rules change, and the details here may be out of date. Always confirm the current requirements with Pennsylvania's Pennsylvania Dept. of Agriculture: Food Safety / Limited Food Establishments before you make or sell anything.
Most states make you track what you sell. OvenBooks keeps batch-level records and tax-ready COGS reports, so meeting your state's rules is a byproduct of running your bakery. Join the waitlist →
Track your batches from day one.
Get early access to OvenBooks: rolling ingredient costs, batch logging, and tax-ready COGS reports built for cottage bakers.