North Carolina Cottage Food Law Report
Complete reference for North Carolina's cottage food law — statute citation, sales cap, allowed products, registration requirements, and a county-by-county directory with health department, planning department, and zoning code links.
02 NCAC 09C .0307 Registration (North Carolina Administrative Code, Title 02 Agriculture and Consumer Services, Chapter 09 Food and Drug Protection, Subchapter C)
Verbatim ExcerptStarting a home-based food business If you are interested in producing and selling food products for human consumption from your home, you will need to first have your home kitchen inspected before doing so. This includes anyone selling to retail stores, restaurants, or directly to consumers. This also includes anyone opening and repackaging food products or ingredients purchased from other locations. Low risk foods are the only products allowed to be processed in your home kitchen. Low risk food products are items that are shelf stable and do not require refrigeration or freezing. These low-risk food products may include: Baked goods that do not require refrigeration; Jams, jellies, and preserves; Candies; Dried mixes/Spices; Some liquids (i.e. ice tea, coffee, lemonade, etc.); Some sauces (i.e. balsamic dressing, etc.); Acid and acidified foods (i.e. pickles, BBQ sauce, etc.); Freeze dried fruits/vegetables. High risk food products ARE NOT PERMITTED to be produced in your home kitchen and can only be produced commercially under our routine inspection program.
Source: ncagr.gov/divisions/food-drug-protection/food-program/fdpd-food-program-home-processer →
Shelf-stable, low-risk foods including non-refrigerated baked goods, jams, jellies, preserves, candies, dried mixes, spices, some beverages, some sauces, acidified foods (pickles, BBQ sauce), and freeze-dried fruits/vegetables are permitted. Sauces and dehydrated foods may require pH or water activity testing to confirm shelf stability.
Refrigerated or frozen products, low-acid canned foods, dairy products, seafood, bottled water/juice, and bakery products with cream or cream cheese fillings or cheesecakes are prohibited. Products must be shelf-stable; pet animals in the home disqualify the applicant entirely.
Labels required on individually packaged products for self-service sale or wholesale: product name, ingredient list in descending order by weight, net quantity, processor name and address, and all allergens. Nutritional labels not required unless specific nutrient content claims are made. Products sold directly hand-to-consumer at events may be exempt from affixed labels if ingredient info is available on request.
None
Good (IJ Grade B-)
100
North Carolina Counties (100)
Cottage food registration usually happens at the county level. Click any county for local zoning, health department, and planning department links.
Where to verify North Carolina's rules
Data compiled from primary sources. Cottage food laws change — verify with your state agency before relying on this information.
Cottage food laws are amended every year. This is a starting reference, not legal advice. Verify with North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Servicesand your local health department before relying on this data.