Registration
- Required
- No
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StatePermissive
Indiana 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.
Current law remains the HB 1149 (2022) framework through June 30, 2026: no license, permit, inspection, or sales cap; ANSI food handler certificate required; strong state preemption; in-state online sales and shipping allowed; most nonperishable foods allowed except acidified foods. HB 1424 was signed in 2026 and takes effect July 1, 2026, when Indiana will move to a much broader food-freedom model allowing time/temperature-control foods under new rules.
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-ANAB accredited food handler certificate
- Cost
- $6.95-$50 (most common $7-$15 online)
- Validity
- 3 years
Labeling
"This product is home produced and processed and the production area has not been inspected by the Indiana Department of Health. NOT FOR RESALE."
- Name of person preparing the food
- Address of person preparing the food
- Date the food was processed
- Product name (common or usual name)
- Net weight and volume
- Ingredients list (descending order by weight)
- Allergen disclosure (9 major allergens: milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, sesame)
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
Any direct-to-consumer venue allowed: farmers markets, fairs/festivals, roadside stands, home sales, online platforms, phone orders. Wholesale and third-party retail sales prohibited. HB 1149 (2022) dramatically expanded from only farmers markets/roadside stands to all direct sales channels.
Shipping and delivery
- In-state
- Allowed
- Out-of-state
- Not allowed
- Commercial carriers
- Allowed
- Third-party delivery
- Allowed
In-state shipping allowed via mail (USPS), parcel service (UPS/FedEx), or third-party carrier. Personal delivery by producer allowed. Online/phone/email orders permitted. Must maintain records for shipped products (1 year): customer name, delivery address, product, date. Interstate shipping prohibited (Indiana 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
Not allowed
Canned goods
Not allowed
Dried goods
Allowed
Perishables
Not allowed
Meat products
Not allowed
Dairy products
Not allowed
Most nonperishable foods allowed: baked goods (non-refrigerated), candies/confections, roasted/candied nuts, popcorn (all varieties), traditional jams/jellies/preserves (high-acid, full sugar ONLY), dried fruits/vegetables, fruit leathers, dried pasta, dried herbs, fresh produce, honey, granola, crackers, pretzels, coffee beans, tea, whole eggs. Acidified foods specifically PROHIBITED (pickles, salsas, sauces, chutneys, infused oils). Low-acid/pressure-canned foods prohibited. Meat, poultry, fish, dairy, processed eggs prohibited. Refrigerated baked goods (custard/cream pies, cheesecakes, cream cheese frosting) prohibited. No kombucha, juices, or garlic in oil.
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 1149 (IC 16-42-5.3)
Effective: July 1, 2022
Major transformation: expanded from only farmers markets/roadside stands to all direct-to-consumer sales including online, phone, shipping. Added ANSI food handler requirement. Created strong state preemption prohibiting local restrictions. Greatly expanded allowed foods.
HB 1424
Effective: July 1, 2026
Signed in 2026. Beginning July 1, 2026, Indiana will expand from home based vendor nonperishable foods to a broader food-freedom model, including time/temperature-control foods under new requirements, while preserving no sales cap and strong state preemption. Not yet active as of May 7, 2026.
Important warnings
- HB 1424 is signed but not active until July 1, 2026 - current nonperishable-food restrictions remain in effect as of May 7, 2026
- ANSI-ANAB accredited food handler certificate required ($7-$15, valid 3 years)
- Acidified foods (pickles, salsas, sauces) specifically prohibited
- Traditional jams/jellies ONLY - high-acid fruit with full sugar recipes only
- Record keeping required for shipped products (1 year retention)
- Website label posting required for online sales
- Out-of-state sales prohibited (Indiana residents only)
- Direct-to-consumer sales only - no wholesale, retail, or restaurant sales
- State preemption prohibits local governments from adding restrictions
- Some municipalities may require general business licenses (not cottage food specific)
Research sources
Sources used for this summary.
Last updated: 2026-05-07. Use these sources as a starting point for current verification.
- Indiana Code § 16-42-5.3 (Home Based Food Products)
- Indiana State Department of Health - Food Handler Fact Sheet (11/17/2022)
- Purdue University Extension - Home-Based Vendors
- Indiana General Assembly - HB 1149 (2022)
- Indiana General Assembly - HB 1424 (2026)
- Forrager.com - Indiana
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 Indiana 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.