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Cottage food by state

Georgia cottage food law: what you can sell and how

Georgia changed its cottage food law in 2025. House Bill 398 removed the state license and now lets cottage food operators sell to retail stores and restaurants as well as directly.

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Updated November 2026 by the Madeline's team, who set these tools up for makers and farms.

The short version

Since July 1, 2025, Georgia cottage food operators no longer need a state license, and they can sell to retail food stores like grocers, restaurants and convenience stores as well as directly to consumers. Products must still be non-potentially hazardous foods. The Department of Agriculture lists no limit on gross sales.

Georgia rules at a glance

  1. Who regulates

    Georgia Department of Agriculture, Retail Food section.

  2. License

    Removed by HB 398, effective July 1, 2025. No state license or state fee. Local business licensing and zoning still apply.

  3. Allowed foods

    Non-potentially hazardous foods such as breads, cakes, cookies, candies, fruit pies, jams and jellies, dried fruits, dry herbs and seasonings, granola, nuts, vinegars and popcorn.

  4. Not allowed

    Foods that need temperature control, and cooked vegetable products like salsas and tomato sauces.

  5. Where you can sell

    Directly to consumers, including online, and now to retail food sales establishments such as grocery stores, restaurants and convenience stores.

  6. Sales limit

    The Department of Agriculture does not limit gross sales or units produced.

  7. Training

    The department's cottage food page lists an ANSI-accredited food safety training program as a requirement. Confirm the current rule as GDA updates its regulations after HB 398.

Check the source

  • Official source

    Georgia Department of Agriculture: Cottage Food

    Rules change. Confirm the current figures and forms with the state before you start selling.

    Open the official page

  • Cottage food to commercial kitchen

    What changes when you outgrow the limits.

    Read the guide

  • Free tool

    Cost per jar calculator

    Price your cottage food products from what they really cost.

    Use the calculator

  • Food label requirements

    What a packaged food label needs, including allergens.

    Read the guide

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Questions

Do I need a cottage food license in Georgia?

No. HB 398 removed the state license as of July 1, 2025.

Can Georgia cottage food be sold in stores?

Yes. Since HB 398, cottage food operators can sell to retail food stores, restaurants and convenience stores.

Is there a sales limit in Georgia?

The Department of Agriculture does not set a limit on gross sales.

Can I make salsa as cottage food in Georgia?

No. Cooked vegetable products like salsas and tomato sauces do not qualify.

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Tell us what you make and what you use today. A spreadsheet and a Square account is a fine answer. We reply by email with what we would keep, what we would change and what it costs.

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