Registration
- Required
- Yes
- Type
- registration
- Cost
- Varies by county (often free)
- Inspection
- No
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StatePermissive
Alabama 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
Required
Training
Required
Current law details
Start with the summary, then verify locally.
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.
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
- ANSI-accredited food safety course
- Cost
- $7-$35 (typically free to $20 through Alabama Cooperative Extension)
- Validity
- 3 years
Labeling
"This food is not inspected by the Alabama Department of Public Health"
- 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
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
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 and delivery
- In-state
- Allowed
- Out-of-state
- Not allowed
- 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).
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
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.
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
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
- 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
Sources used for this summary.
Last updated: 2026-05-07. Use these sources as a starting point for current verification.
- 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 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 Alabama 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.