Current Law Details
SB 160 (2021) removed $20,000 cap and allowed online sales, in-state shipping, acidified foods with pH testing, and freeze-dried foods with water activity testing. County health dept label review required (not traditional permit). No home kitchen inspection.
Registration & Training
📋Registration
- Required
- Yes
- Type
- registration
- Cost
- Varies by county (often free)
- Inspection Required
- No
🎓Training
- Required
- Yes
- Type
- ANSI-accredited food safety course
- Cost
- $7-$35 (typically free to $20 through Alabama Cooperative Extension)
- Validity Period
- 3 years
Labeling Requirements
Required Statement
"This food is not inspected by the Alabama Department of Public Health"
Additional Label Elements
- ✓Product name (bold print)
- ✓Business name and address (or P.O. Box)
- ✓Ingredients list (descending order by weight)
- ✓Allergen disclosure (9 major allergens)
- ✓Net weight or volume
Allowed Sales Venues
Farmers markets may require separate vendor certification. Mobile units, carts, tents, booths allowed (not already permitted by health dept). No wholesale or consignment sales.
Shipping & Delivery
Shipping Options
- In-State
- Allowed
- Out-of-State
- Not Allowed
Delivery Methods
- Commercial Carriers
- Allowed
- Third-Party Delivery
- Allowed
In-state shipping via mail/parcel service allowed. Personal delivery by producer or appointed agent/employee. No out-of-state shipping (Alabama residents only).
Allowed Foods
Acidified foods (pH < 4.2) allowed with mandatory testing: pickles, salsas, BBQ sauce, fermented vegetables/fruits. Freeze-dried foods allowed with water activity < 0.88. No custard pies, cheesecakes, meat/poultry, or dairy products.
Recent Legislative Updates
SB 160 (Act 2021-456)
Effective: August 1, 2021
Removed $20,000 annual sales cap, allowed online sales and in-state shipping, expanded allowed foods list significantly, added nutrition information disclaimer requirement
Important Warnings & Notes
- ⚠️Training certification must be renewed every 3 years (not 5 years)
- ⚠️Out-of-state sales prohibited
- ⚠️Acidified and freeze-dried foods require laboratory testing and county approval before sales
- ⚠️No traditional cottage food permit issued - only label review/approval process
Research Sources
This information was compiled from the following sources (Last updated: 2025-10-06):
- •Alabama Code § 22-20-5.1
- •Alabama Cooperative Extension System
- •Alabama Department of Public Health FAQ (7/18/2022)
- •Forrager.com - Alabama
Important Legal Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Cottage food laws change frequently and vary by local jurisdiction. Always verify current regulations with your state and local health departments before starting your business.
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