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Cottage food by state

Illinois cottage food law: what you can sell and how

Illinois allows most homemade foods except a list of prohibited items, sold directly to consumers anywhere in the state, including online, after you register with your local health department.

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

The short version

Register every year with your local health department (fee of up to $50) and hold a Certified Food Protection Manager certificate. Most foods are allowed except listed items like meat, fish and kombucha. Sell directly to consumers only, in person, online or shipped within Illinois for non-refrigerated foods. No sales to stores or restaurants.

Illinois rules at a glance

  1. Who regulates

    Your local health department registers you; the Illinois Department of Public Health sets guidance. Registration is annual, with a fee of up to $50.

  2. Training

    Anyone who prepares or packages the food needs a Certified Food Protection Manager certificate.

  3. Not allowed

    Includes meat, poultry, fish and shellfish, most dairy, cut or pureed fresh tomato or melon, wild-harvested mushrooms, alcoholic beverages and kombucha, among others.

  4. Extra rules

    Canned tomato products, fermented and acidified foods need a tested recipe or lab testing and a food safety plan.

  5. Where you can sell

    Directly to consumers for their own use: farmers markets, fairs, events, online, pickup from home or farm, and delivery. Not to restaurants, stores or anyone reselling.

  6. Shipping

    Only non-potentially hazardous foods may be shipped, never out of state, sealed so tampering shows.

  7. Labels and notice

    Your business name, registration number, product name, ingredients, the date processed, allergens, and "This product was produced in a home kitchen not subject to public health inspection that may also process common food allergens." The notice also goes on a placard or your online checkout.

Check the source

  • Official source

    Illinois Department of Public Health: 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 to register to sell cottage food in Illinois?

Yes, every year with your local health department, which may charge up to $50.

Can I sell cottage food online in Illinois?

Yes, directly to consumers within Illinois.

Can I ship cottage food in Illinois?

Only non-potentially hazardous foods, sealed so tampering shows, and never out of state.

Can I sell to a coffee shop or store?

No. Illinois cottage food must be sold directly to consumers, not for resale.

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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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