Registration
- Required
- No
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Hawaii cottage food rules
Review sales limits, online sales, registration, labeling, venues, shipping, foods, and source notes for this jurisdiction.
Sales limit
None
Online sales
Yes
Registration
Not required
Training
Required
Current law details
Start with the summary, then verify locally.
Act 195 (HB 2144) was implemented through HAR Title 11, Chapter 50 updates effective August 24, 2025. Hawaii now allows internet/online sales, mail order, third-party sales, and wholesale sales for qualifying homemade food products, while keeping products limited to non-TCS foods. The update also expanded fermented, acidified, and pickled plant foods when pH or water activity requirements are met, and created special provisions for hand-pounded poi. Food safety training is required and must be renewed every 3 years.
Setup requirements
Registration, training, and labeling details.
These are the common operating requirements sellers check before launching or changing sales channels.
Training
- Required
- Yes
- Type
- State-approved food safety course (ANAB-accredited)
- Cost
- Free (Hawaii DOH) or ~$10 (online, e.g., FoodSafePal)
- Validity
- 3 years
Labeling
"Made in a home kitchen not routinely inspected by the Department of Health"
- Business/Producer name
- Physical address of cottage food operation
- Product name (common or usual name)
- Ingredients list (descending order by weight)
- Net weight
- Allergen warnings (9 major allergens including sesame)
- Contact information (address, email, or phone)
Sales channels
Allowed venues and fulfillment methods.
Confirm how customers are allowed to buy, receive, or pick up products before opening a sales channel.
Sales venues
Home sales
Allowed
Farmers markets
Allowed
Roadside stands
Allowed
Events
Allowed
Retail stores
Not allowed
Restaurants
Not allowed
Online
Allowed
Internet sales, mail order, home delivery, third-party sales, and wholesale sales are allowed for qualifying non-TCS homemade food products. No TCS foods.
Shipping and delivery
- In-state
- Allowed
- Out-of-state
- Not allowed
- Commercial carriers
- Allowed
- Third-party delivery
- Allowed
In-state mail order and delivery allowed for qualifying non-TCS homemade food products. Interstate sales prohibited unless a producer meets applicable federal and receiving-state requirements.
Product categories
Allowed food categories.
Allowed and limited categories are only a planning aid. Check official guidance before selling a specific recipe.
Baked goods
Allowed
Candy and confections
Allowed
Jams and jellies
Allowed
Acidified foods
Limited
Canned goods
Not allowed
Dried goods
Allowed
Perishables
Not allowed
Meat products
Not allowed
Dairy products
Not allowed
Major expansion Aug 2025: fermented, acidified, and pickled plant foods NOW ALLOWED with pH ≤4.2 OR water activity ≤0.88. Hand-pounded poi explicitly protected with special labeling. Prohibited: potentially hazardous foods, perishable baked goods requiring refrigeration, meat, seafood, juices, low-acid canned foods, garlic in oil, TCS foods.
Updates and cautions
Check these notes before making changes.
Recent updates and warnings are included to help you spot issues that may need extra verification.
Recent legislative updates
Act 195 (HB 2144, signed July 2024)
Effective: August 24, 2025
Major expansion allowing fermented/acidified/pickled plant foods (pH ≤4.2 or aW ≤0.88), third-party and wholesale sales for non-TCS products, explicit protection for hand-pounded poi. Implemented 8 months past statutory deadline.
Important warnings
- Online, mail-order, wholesale, and third-party sales are limited to qualifying non-TCS homemade food products
- Third-party and wholesale sales allowed for non-TCS products only (no TCS foods)
- Fermented/acidified foods require pH ≤4.2 or water activity ≤0.88 - testing likely required
- Interstate sales prohibited - Hawaii residents only
- Hand-pounded poi has different labeling requirement: 'This hand-pounded poi was prepared in a facility not inspected by the Department of Health'
- Training certification must be renewed every 3 years
Research sources
Sources used for this summary.
Last updated: 2026-05-07. Use these sources as a starting point for current verification.
- Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) Title 11, Chapter 50 (effective Aug 24, 2025)
- Act 195, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024 (HB 2144)
- Hawaii Department of Health - Food Safety Branch
- Hawaii DOH Press Release (August 27, 2025)
- Civil Beat, KHON2, Big Island Now (2024-2025 coverage)
- Forrager.com - Hawaii
- Institute for Justice - Hawaii
Important legal disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Cottage food rules change frequently and vary by local jurisdiction. Always verify current regulations with your state and local health departments before starting your business.
Next step
Turn Hawaii rules into a clear ordering experience.
Use Cottage CMS to publish products, pickup windows, forms, disclosures, and order workflows after you verify the current local requirements.