Current Law Details
Only state allowing meat jerky under cottage food law. Interstate sales allowed (receiving state must accept). Complex setup: $35 annual registration, business plan required, home inspection, lab testing for some products. 60-day approval timeline. Pets prohibited in food areas (exceptions with physical separation or caged animals). No sales cap.
Registration & Training
📋Registration
- Required
- Yes
- Type
- registration
- Cost
- $35 annually
- Inspection Required
- Yes
🎓Training
- Required
- No
Labeling Requirements
Required Statement
"No specific cottage food disclaimer required (unlike most states)"
Additional Label Elements
- ✓Producer's name and address
- ✓Business name (if different)
- ✓Product name (common name)
- ✓Ingredients list (descending order by weight)
- ✓Net weight or volume
- ✓Allergen disclosure (major food allergens)
- ✓Nutritional information (required for interstate sales or health claims)
Allowed Sales Venues
Can sell through farmers markets, online, restaurants, retail stores, and mail order. Must email application to RA-AGPLANREVIEW@pa.gov at least 60 days before operation. Business plan and process flow diagrams required.
Shipping & Delivery
Shipping Options
- In-State
- Allowed
- Out-of-State
- Allowed
Delivery Methods
- Commercial Carriers
- Allowed
- Third-Party Delivery
- Allowed
Pennsylvania allows interstate sales, but depends on receiving state's laws. For interstate sales, nutritional information required. Processors selling interstate may need FDA registration.
Allowed Foods
UNIQUE: Only state allowing meat jerky under cottage food law. Meat jerky requires pH and water activity testing, process flow approval. Acidified foods (pH ≤4.6) and fermented foods allowed with lab testing. Chocolate-covered fruits require pH ≤4.6. Coffee beans, pasta, honey, maple syrup, kombucha with guidelines. No TCS foods: dairy, meat (except jerky), fish, eggs in products, cream pastries, custard pies, fresh-cut produce.
Recent Legislative Updates
No recent cottage food legislation
Effective: N/A
Limited Food Establishment program remains stable. No pending changes identified in 2024-2025 legislative sessions.
Important Warnings & Notes
- ⚠️Business plan and process flow diagrams required - complex documentation
- ⚠️Home inspection required before approval
- ⚠️60-day minimum approval timeline - plan ahead
- ⚠️Lab testing required for acidified foods, meat jerky, and some preserves
- ⚠️Pets prohibited in food production areas (physical separation required for pet owners)
- ⚠️Interstate sales depend on destination state laws
- ⚠️Private well users must conduct annual water testing
- ⚠️FDA registration may be required for interstate sales
Research Sources
This information was compiled from the following sources (Last updated: 2025-10-06):
- •Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture - Limited Food Establishment
- •PA Application Packet (Official)
- •Forrager.com - Pennsylvania
- •Institute for Justice - Pennsylvania
- •Penn State Extension - Food for Profit
- •Penn State Agricultural Law Center (Sept 2024)
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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