Registration
- Required
- No
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StatePermissive
Georgia 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.
HB 398 (effective July 1, 2025) eliminated state licensing requirements, transforming Georgia from moderate to one of most permissive states. No license, fees, or inspections required. ANSI food safety training mandatory. Unlimited sales allowed. Can sell direct-to-consumer AND to retail stores/restaurants (check local ordinances). Online sales within Georgia permitted. No interstate shipping. Among most permissive cottage food states nationally.
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 training (Food Handler level sufficient)
Labeling
"MADE IN A COTTAGE FOOD OPERATION THAT IS NOT SUBJECT TO STATE FOOD SAFETY INSPECTIONS"
- Cottage food operation name
- Physical address OR Department-issued identification number (optional privacy registration)
- Product name
- Ingredients list (in descending order by weight)
- Net weight or volume
- Allergen information (if applicable)
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
Allowed
Restaurants
Allowed
Online
Allowed
Direct-to-consumer: farmers markets, roadside stands, craft fairs, festivals, non-profit/for-profit events, online sales (GA residents only), mail order (within GA), home-based sales. Third-party vendor sales (NEW as of July 2025): retail food stores, grocery stores, restaurants, convenience stores. Third-party vendors must display cottage food products in separate, clearly labeled section. Local governments may prohibit third-party vendor sales through formal ordinance - verify with city/county before approaching retail partners.
Shipping and delivery
- In-state
- Allowed
- Out-of-state
- Not allowed
- Commercial carriers
- Allowed
- Third-party delivery
- Allowed
Can ship anywhere within Georgia via USPS, UPS, FedEx, or other carriers. Can offer local delivery. Interstate shipping prohibited - cannot ship across state lines or sell to customers in other states. Online platforms must restrict sales to Georgia addresses 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
Not allowed
Canned goods
Not allowed
Dried goods
Allowed
Perishables
Not allowed
Meat products
Not allowed
Dairy products
Not allowed
Non-potentially hazardous foods only (foods that can be safely stored at room temperature). Allowed: loaf breads, rolls, biscuits, cakes, pastries, cookies, muffins, fruit pies (no cream/custard/meat pies), hard candies, lollipops, non-perishable confections, jams, jellies, preserves, dried fruits, dry herbs/seasonings/mixtures, cereals, trail mixes, granola, coated/uncoated nuts, vinegar, flavored vinegar, popcorn, popcorn balls, cotton candy, dry mixes. Prohibited: meat/poultry, fish/seafood, shellfish, eggs, milk/dairy, cheese/cream products, cooked vegetables, baked potatoes, tofu, mushrooms, raw sprouts, untreated garlic/oil mixtures, cream/custard/meat pies, fruit butters, acidified foods, low-acid canned goods (except jams/jellies), cooked vegetable products, beverages, pet treats.
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 398
Effective: July 1, 2025
MAJOR DEREGULATION: Eliminated state licensing requirements (no license, no fees, no routine inspections), allowed retail and restaurant sales, removed home address labeling requirement (optional identifier available), established state preemption over most local regulation (except third-party sales bans)
Important warnings
- MAJOR CHANGE: HB 398 (effective July 1, 2025) eliminated state licensing, fees, and inspection requirements while allowing retail and restaurant sales
- Local governments may still prohibit third-party vendor sales (retail/restaurants) through ordinance - MUST verify with city/county before pursuing retail partnerships
- ANSI food safety training still required despite elimination of licensing - Food Handler level sufficient (not Food Manager)
- Local zoning and home-based business regulations still apply - verify no local ordinances prohibit home-based food business
- Individual farmers markets may require additional licensing beyond state cottage food law - verify with each market
- No interstate shipping - limited to Georgia customers only
- Products must be stored on business premises only
- Must allow GDA inspections in response to complaints or illness investigations
- Cannot produce during domestic activities - separate food prep from family kitchen use
- No commercial-grade equipment allowed - residential kitchen equipment only
- Cannot use home-canned produce as ingredients (except jams/jellies)
- Sample products don't need labels but must have properly labeled packages on display with samples
- Cottage food statement must appear on shipping container or invoice when products are shipped/mailed
- Private well users: annual testing required for coliforms and nitrates ($100 annually through Georgia Department of Agriculture)
- Private septic users: must verify system capacity is adequate with county health department before starting
- Former license holders can use their old license number as identifier; new operators must apply for identifier through registration
- Not exempt from Georgia tax laws - must comply with sales tax and income tax requirements
- Cannot use reduced oxygen packaging
Research sources
Sources used for this summary.
Last updated: 2026-05-07. Use these sources as a starting point for current verification.
- Georgia House Bill 398 (2025)
- Georgia Administrative Code Rule 40-7-19
- Georgia Department of Agriculture - Cottage Food License and HB 398 guidance
- Georgia Code Title 26 (Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics)
- Forrager.com - Georgia Cottage Food Law
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 Georgia 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.