Current Law Details
Food Freedom state - Top 5 nationally (Grade B). THREE laws since 2021: (1) Food Freedom Act (HB 181, 2018): no requirements, allows poultry/rabbit meat (1,000 birds/year), in-person sales only; (2) Cottage Food Law (2007): inspection required, online sales within state and retail outlets allowed, no meat, shelf-stable foods only; (3) Microenterprise Home Kitchen Act (HB 94, 2021): allows home-cooked meals with any meat, same-day sales only, inspection required. No sales caps on any law. Zero foodborne illness outbreaks since 2018. Minors under 18-19 have exemptions. Allows up to 1,000 poultry birds/year and rabbit meat under Food Freedom Act.
Registration & Training
📋Registration
- Required
- No
🎓Training
- Required
- No
Labeling Requirements
Required Statement
"Not for Resale – Processed and prepared without the benefit of state or local inspection"
Additional Label Elements
- ✓Business name and home address
- ✓Allergen list
- ✓Food name (Cottage Food Law)
- ✓Complete ingredient list (Cottage Food Law)
- ✓Net quantity (Cottage Food Law)
- ✓'Home Produced' label (Cottage Food Law)
Allowed Sales Venues
Food Freedom Act: Direct sales only (home, farmers markets, locations agreed upon). NO retail stores, NO online sales. Cottage Food Law: Direct sales, retail stores, wholesale, online sales within Utah, mail delivery within Utah. Microenterprise: Direct sales only, customer pickup or in-person delivery, NO on-site consumption. All laws: Must be within Utah state borders.
Shipping & Delivery
Shipping Options
- In-State
- Allowed
- Out-of-State
- Not Allowed
Delivery Methods
- Commercial Carriers
- Not Allowed
- Third-Party Delivery
- Not Allowed
Food Freedom Act: NO online sales, NO shipping, in-person only. Cottage Food Law: Online sales and mail delivery within Utah allowed. Microenterprise: Same-day sales only, no practical shipping. No interstate shipping allowed under any law.
Allowed Foods
Food Freedom Act: Almost any food, poultry (1,000 birds/year that you raise), domesticated rabbit meat (that you raise), honey, dry mixes. Cottage Food Law: Shelf-stable only (breads, cakes, jams, jellies, honey, dry mixes, candy, granola). NO refrigerated, meat, or poultry. Microenterprise: Home-cooked meals with any meat (beef, pork, chicken, fish), grilled foods, BBQ. Prohibited across all: raw milk. National significance: Utah and Wyoming only states allowing extensive meat products.
Recent Legislative Updates
HB 181 - Home Consumption and Homemade Food Act (Food Freedom Act)
Effective: May 2018
Maximum freedom, minimal regulation approach. Allows almost any food product including poultry and rabbit meat. No state/county registration, no inspections, no permitting, no food handler training, no sales cap. Direct sales only.
HB 94 - Microenterprise Home Kitchen Act
Effective: May 5, 2021
Utah became second state in nation to adopt this type of law (after California's MEHKO). Allows 'mini restaurants' or 'restaurant incubators' from home. Home-cooked meals with meat allowed. Requires permit, inspection, same-day sales only.
Important Warnings & Notes
- ⚠️Online sales ONLY allowed under Cottage Food Law (not Food Freedom Act or Microenterprise)
- ⚠️Food Freedom Act: in-person sales only at prearranged locations
- ⚠️Microenterprise: same-day sales only (food must be sold same day it's made)
- ⚠️Poultry must follow USDA 1,000-bird exemption guidance and be raised by producer
- ⚠️Interstate shipping prohibited under all laws
- ⚠️Different requirements for each of the three laws - choose carefully based on products and business model
Research Sources
This information was compiled from the following sources (Last updated: 2025-10-07):
- •Utah Department of Agriculture and Food - Official pages
- •Utah Code Title 4, Chapter 5a (Food Freedom Act)
- •Utah Code Title 26, Chapter 15c (Microenterprise)
- •Utah Legislature - HB0181 (2018), HB0094 (2021)
- •Institute for Justice - Utah page and 'Baking Bad' report
- •Forrager.com - Utah
- •Utah State University Extension
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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