Registration
- Required
- No
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Louisiana cottage food rules
Review sales limits, online sales, registration, labeling, venues, shipping, foods, and source notes for this jurisdiction.
Sales limit
$30,000
Online sales
Conditional
Registration
Not required
Training
Not required
Current law details
Start with the summary, then verify locally.
Unique two-tier system: (1) Breads, cakes, cookies, pies have NO sales cap but must be sold directly to consumers only - cannot sell to retail stores; (2) All other cottage foods have $30,000 cap but CAN be sold to retail stores/restaurants. Online advertising allowed but all products must be delivered in person - no shipping permitted. No state permit required but sales tax certificates mandatory. Increased from $20,000 in 2022 (HB 828).
Setup requirements
Registration, training, and labeling details.
These are the common operating requirements sellers check before launching or changing sales channels.
Training
- Required
- No
Labeling
"This food was not produced in a licensed or regulated facility"
- Product name
- Producer name and address
- Ingredients list (descending order by weight)
- Allergen information (major food allergens)
- Net weight or quantity
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
Limited
Restaurants
Not allowed
Online
Not allowed
IMPORTANT: Breads, cakes, cookies, and pies can ONLY be sold directly to consumers - cannot sell to retail stores or restaurants. All other cottage foods (jams, candies, sauces, honey, etc.) CAN be sold to retail establishments. Online advertising allowed but all sales must be in person.
Shipping and delivery
- In-state
- Not allowed
- Out-of-state
- Not allowed
- Commercial carriers
- Not allowed
- Third-party delivery
- Not allowed
NO shipping or mail order allowed. All products must be delivered in person via face-to-face exchange. Can advertise online but transaction must occur in person within Louisiana.
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
Allowed: Breads, cakes, cookies, pies (no cap but direct sales only), candies, cane syrup, dried mixes, honey/honeycomb, jams/jellies/preserves, pickles and acidified foods, sauces (shelf-stable), syrups, spices. Prohibited: Foods containing animal muscle or fish protein, raw doughs, juices, fermented foods, CBD products, any food requiring time/temperature control.
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
HB 828 (Act 357)
Effective: August 1, 2022
Increased sales cap from $20,000 to $30,000
HB 1270
Effective: 2014
Greatly increased number of allowed foods and added regulations
Act 542
Effective: 2013
Established Louisiana's cottage food law with $20,000 cap
Important warnings
- Breads, cakes, cookies, and pies CANNOT be sold to retail stores, restaurants, or for resale - direct sales only
- All other cottage foods CAN be sold to retail stores and restaurants
- No shipping or mail order - must deliver in person
- Cannot employ help in preparation - family members in home may assist
- Foods containing CBD explicitly prohibited
Research sources
Sources used for this summary.
Last updated: 2026-05-07. Use these sources as a starting point for current verification.
- Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 40, RS 40:4.9
- Louisiana HB 828 (2022)
- Forrager.com - Louisiana
- Institute for Justice - Louisiana
- Cottage Food Laws - Louisiana
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 Louisiana 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.