Tennessee Cottage Food Law Report
Complete reference for Tennessee'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.
Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 53 – Food, Drugs and Cosmetics, Chapter 1 – General Provisions, Part 1, Section 53-1-125 (Tennessee Food Freedom Act, Public Chapter No. 862, SB 693)
Verbatim ExcerptBE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE: SECTION 1. This act is known and may be cited as the "Tennessee Food Freedom Act." ... SECTION 3. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 53, Chapter 1, Part 1, is amended by adding the following as a new section: (a) Notwithstanding part 2 of this chapter, or another law to the contrary, except as provided in this section, the production and sale of homemade food items under this chapter are exempt from all licensing, permitting, inspecting, packaging, and labeling laws of this state, except when the department of health is investigating a reported foodborne illness. (b) The exemption under subsection (a) only applies if the following conditions are satisfied: Non-time/temperature control for safety food homemade food items must be sold either by: The producer to the consumer in person or remotely... county, municipal, and other political jurisdictions [may not restrict] production and sale of homemade food items.
Source: publications.tnsosfiles.com/acts/112/pub/pc0862.pdf →
Any non-time/temperature control for safety (non-TCS) homemade food item produced at the producer's private residence is allowed, including baked goods, jams, jellies, candy, dried herbs, non-TCS beverages, and more. No prescribed list of allowed foods – the broad exemption covers all non-TCS homemade foods.
Foods that require time or temperature control for safety (TCS foods) to prevent pathogenic microorganism growth are not covered by the Food Freedom Act exemption. Meat, poultry, fish, dairy products requiring refrigeration, and other TCS foods require standard food establishment licensing.
Under the Tennessee Food Freedom Act, homemade food items are exempt from state packaging and labeling laws (except during DOH foodborne illness investigation). No specific labeling requirements are imposed by the statute. Best practice is to include product name, ingredients, and producer contact information.
None
Good (IJ Grade B-)
95
Tennessee Counties (95)
Cottage food registration usually happens at the county level. Click any county for local zoning, health department, and planning department links.
Where to verify Tennessee'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 Tennessee Department of Agricultureand your local health department before relying on this data.