North Carolina's Cottage Food Law
North Carolina's cottage food law allows individuals to produce and sell certain non-hazardous foods made in a private home kitchen. The law applies to home-based producers who want to run a small food business without a commercial facility. Covered products are limited to items that don't require refrigeration to stay safe, such as baked goods, jams, and candies. Your kitchen doesn't need to meet commercial standards.
You can sell your products through a wide range of channels, including farmers markets, roadside stands, and direct-to-consumer sales at your home. North Carolina also permits online orders and shipping, which gives your business significant reach compared to many other states. There are no restrictions limiting you to in-person sales only, so you can build a customer base beyond your local area.
Your annual gross sales are capped at $65,000, which is a generous limit relative to most states. No permit, license, or registration is required before you start selling. Every product you sell must carry the state-mandated disclaimer identifying it as coming from an uninspected home kitchen. That combination of a high revenue ceiling, no permitting burden, and shipping access makes North Carolina a strong state to build a cottage food business.
Annual Limit
$65,000/year
Permit Required
No
Online Orders
Allowed
Shipping
Allowed
Permitted Foods
- ✓Baked goods (cakes, cookies, breads, pastries, muffins)
- ✓Jams, jellies, and preserves
- ✓Candies and confections
- ✓Dried herbs and herb mixes
- ✓Roasted nuts
- ✓Honey
- ✓Dehydrated fruits and vegetables
- ✓Popcorn and popcorn products
Prohibited Foods
- ✗Meat and poultry products
- ✗Refrigerated or temperature-controlled foods
- ✗Dairy-based products requiring refrigeration
- ✗Raw sprouts
- ✗Canned low-acid vegetables
- ✗Fruit butters not shelf-stable
Labeling Requirements
- ✓Producer's full name and home address
- ✓Product name
- ✓Complete ingredient list including major allergens
- ✓Net weight or net volume
- ✓State-required disclaimer: 'This product was made in a private home kitchen that is not inspected by the NC Department of Agriculture or a local health department.'
Required Label Disclaimer
“This product was made in a private home kitchen that is not inspected by the NC Department of Agriculture or a local health department.”
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North Carolina allows online orders
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Bill tracking data provided by LegiScan