Illinois cottage food law
Illinois Cottage Food Law — 289 pages and 102 counties
Full Illinois PDF (289 pages). This page stays free.
Last updated: · Research verified · Full guide in Cottage Pro ($15 one time) (289 pages)
Full Illinois PDF (289 pages). This page stays free.
Print Illinois labels for your first market
Print Illinois labels for your first market
After the law page, this is the next thing most bakers need: a print-ready mockup with the Illinois home-kitchen disclaimer, allergen line, and net-weight fields.
This product was produced in a home kitchen not inspected by a health department that may also process common food allergens. If you have safety concerns, contact your local health department.
The Crosodo 50-State Cottage Food Label Packet (287 pages) is included in Cottage Pro — 287 pages of per-state rules, official examples, and county extras. Open the combined packet. The Illinois mockup above stays free.
- Product name, producer, and address (or allowed alternative)
- Ingredients by weight and major allergens
- Net weight / quantity
- Illinois home-kitchen / “not inspected” disclaimer
Not legal advice. Verify wording with the state agency before a production print run.
What does the official Illinois state handout say?
2024 Cottage Food Guide
Official agency guidance changes without notice. The text below is reproduced for reference only — always confirm current rules on the agency website before relying on it.
- Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)https://extension.illinois.edu/sites/default/files/2024-10/cottage_food_guide.pdf
This guide was developed by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) in partnership with cottage food advocacy groups, local health departments, University of Illinois Extension, cottage food producers, and economic development organizations. The purpose is to support cottage food businesses, grow a thriving cottage food industry in Illinois, and ensure that cottage food products are safe, healthy, and enjoyable for all.
What Is a Cottage Food Operation?
- A Cottage Food Operation means an operation conducted by a person who produces or packages food or drink, other than foods and drinks listed as prohibited in the law, in a kitchen located in that person's primary domestic residence or another appropriately designed and equipped kitchen on a farm for direct sale by the owner, a family member, or employee.
- All sales must be direct-to-customer by the owner, a family member, or an employee listed on the Cottage Food Operator Registration Form. Cottage food products may not be repacked, sold, or distributed by a third party.
- Cottage food operations must be registered as a Cottage Food Operator with their local health department in the county or municipality in which they reside.
- No.
- If you are a farmer, yes. If you are not a farmer, then no. The law is written this way in order to prevent persons from turning outbuildings into storefronts.
Registration
- The fee to register is capped at $50 by law. Your local health department may charge between $0 and $50.
- You must register annually.
- No. Unlike restaurants and retailers, your home kitchen will not be inspected by a local health department upon registration. However, a local health department may inspect your home kitchen if there is cause to believe your products are not safe or not in compliance with the law.
- Registration does not involve an inspection and generally refers to a simpler process. Licensure comes with inspections and a formal process with related costs. A commercial kitchen is a licensed operation.
Prohibited Products
- As of January 1, 2018, all food and drink are permitted, except for what is specifically prohibited in the law:
- Meat, poultry, fish, seafood, or shellfish.
- Dairy, except as an ingredient in a non-potentially hazardous baked good or candy, or as an ingredient in a baked good frosting such as buttercream.
- Eggs, except as an ingredient in a non-potentially hazardous food or as an ingredient in a baked good frosting such as buttercream, if the eggs are not raw.
- Pumpkin pies, sweet potato pies, cheesecakes, custard pies, creme pies, and pastries with potentially hazardous fillings or toppings.
- Garlic in oil or oil infused with garlic, except if the garlic oil is acidified.
- Low-acid canned foods; sprouts; cut leafy greens (except dehydrated, acidified or blanched and frozen); cut or puréed fresh tomato or melon; dehydrated tomato or melon; frozen cut melon; wild-harvested non-cultivated mushrooms; alcoholic beverages; kombucha.
FAQ: Allowed Foods
- Yes, as long as you do not sell your product as a medicine or advertise any health claims.
- No. Kombucha is directly prohibited in the law.
- Yes. Honey is a product regulated under the USDA and not considered a cottage food product.
- Yes, as long as no prohibited ingredients (such as meat, dairy, etc.) are included. For safety, aim for a water activity of 0.85 or less.
FAQ: Sales Avenues
- No. In previous versions of the bill there had been limits, but those no longer apply.
- The Illinois Cottage Food Law only regulates sales within state lines. Products crossing state lines are considered interstate commerce and subject to Federal rules and regulations.
- No. Cottage food laws specifically state "Food and drink produced by a Cottage Food Operation shall be sold directly to consumers for their own consumption and not for resale."
- No. The use of an ingredient in an item that will be sold is considered resale.
- Yes, however, sales may only happen within the state of Illinois. You are not allowed to ship or deliver out of state. You must provide clear signage on your Etsy page that your product was made in a home kitchen not inspected by a health department.
Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM)
- All cottage food operators, and any person helping to prepare or package food products as part of the cottage food operation, must have completed the Certified Food Protection Manager certification course and passed the exam before the cottage food registration can be approved.
- Look for a course that is ANSI accredited, at least eight hours long, with a proctored exam. The cost of the training varies, but the range is usually between $100 and $300, and is valid for five years.
- NOTE: The food handler training is NOT valid for cottage food operators.
Reproduced from the official IDPH / University of Illinois Extension 2024 Cottage Food Guide. Verify current rules with your local health department.
Cottage Pro — $15 one time
This page is the free Illinois statute. Cottage Pro is the apply checklist and workspace.
Pick your Illinois county
The Cottage Baker's Field Guide (PDF)
A 6-page reference covering all 51 jurisdictions with methodology and tier explainers — same data as this directory, ready to print and tape to your wall.
Download the PDFFree email alerts
Illinois Cottage Food Updates
New bills, rule changes and local news for home bakers in Illinois. Every story links to its source.
What does the Great tier mean for Illinois?
Tier: Great. No or very high sales cap, broad product list, multiple sales channels including retail and online. Most home bakers can run a meaningful operation here.
Illinois cottage food law — quick summary
Illinois cottage food law in 2026: summary
Last verified against the official sources linked on each line.
- Illinois cottage food operations must register with the local health department where they are located. Registration is annual and the fee can't exceed $50.(source: 410 ILCS 625/4, Cottage food operation)
- Illinois uses a prohibited list: you can sell any food or drink not on it. The list includes meat, poultry, and fish; low-acid canned foods; cheesecakes, pumpkin, sweet potato, custard, and creme pies; kombucha; and alcoholic beverages.(source: 410 ILCS 625/4, Cottage food operation)
- Anyone preparing or packaging cottage food must be a Department-approved certified food protection manager.(source: 410 ILCS 625/4, Cottage food operation)
- Sales must be direct to consumers, including farmers' markets, events, online, home pickup, and delivery. Only non-TCS food can be shipped, and nothing can be shipped out of state.(source: 410 ILCS 625/4, Cottage food operation)
What changed in the 2026 Illinois cottage food law?
Illinois cottage food rules, topic by topic
What you can sell in Illinois
- Any food or drink except the prohibited list in 410 ILCS 625/4(b)(1.5): meat, poultry, fish, seafood, shellfish; most dairy (allowed as an ingredient in non-TCS baked goods, candy, or buttercream-type frosting); raw-egg items; pumpkin, sweet potato, custard, and creme pies, cheesecakes, and pastries with TCS fillings; garlic in oil unless acidified; low-acid canned foods; sprouts; cut leafy greens; cut or pureed fresh tomato or melon; wild-harvested mushrooms; alcoholic beverages; kombucha.(source: 410 ILCS 625/4, Cottage food operation)
- Canned tomato products need a USDA- or extension-tested recipe or a commercial lab acidification test. Fermented or acidified foods need a tested recipe or a written food safety plan plus a pH test.(source: 410 ILCS 625/4, Cottage food operation)
Illinois sales limit
- The cottage food section, 410 ILCS 625/4, sets no annual sales cap.(source: 410 ILCS 625/4, Cottage food operation)
Illinois labeling and point-of-sale notice
- Products must be prepackaged with a prominent label: operation name and local government unit; registration number and where it was filed; product name; all ingredients by weight; the home-kitchen statement; processing date; allergen labeling.(source: 410 ILCS 625/4, Cottage food operation)
- At the point of sale you must post: "This product was produced in a home kitchen not inspected by a health department that may also process common food allergens." Use a placard at a physical display and a message at checkout online.(source: 410 ILCS 625/4, Cottage food operation)
Registration in Illinois
- Register annually with your local health department; the fee may not exceed $50, and you get a certificate with an identifying registration number.(source: 410 ILCS 625/4, Cottage food operation)
- You can sell outside the unit of local government where you registered.(source: 410 ILCS 625/4, Cottage food operation)
County and city differences in Illinois
- Your local health department may require a commercial lab test before you sell a baked good with cheese, and a water test if you use a private well.(source: 410 ILCS 625/4, Cottage food operation)
- Home pickup is allowed unless barred by a local law that applies equally to all cottage food operations. In a municipality of 1,000,000 or more (Chicago), you must follow its laws for home-based businesses.(source: 410 ILCS 625/4, Cottage food operation)
- Home rule units may not regulate cottage food operations inconsistently with the state law.(source: 410 ILCS 625/4, Cottage food operation)
Last verified .
How do I start a cottage food business in Illinois?
How to start in Illinois
A practical path from “am I allowed?” to first sale. Not legal advice — confirm every step with Illinois agencies and your local offices.
Confirm your products are allowed
Illinois allows Illinois uses a 'prohibited list' approach — everything not prohibited is allowed, including baked goods, candies, condiments (honey, ketchup, mustards, nut butters, oils, pickles, salsas, sauces, syrups, vinegars), dry goods, pastries, preserves (including acidified foods and fermented foods with extra requirements), snacks, carbonated drinks, extracts, frozen produce, hardboiled eggs, and juices. Many perishable foods are allowed for direct in-state sales but may not be shipped.. High-risk or refrigerated foods usually need a commercial kitchen — not a cottage exemption.
Choose sales channels you can actually use
Sales cap: No cap. Indirect / wholesale-style sales: No. Farmers markets and direct-to-consumer pickup are the usual start. Check county and city rules before advertising porch pickup.
Clear local zoning, licenses, and tax IDs
State cottage food rules are the floor. Your city or county may still require a business license, home occupation approval, HOA permission, or sales tax registration. Do this before you print an address on Instagram.
Registration, training, and kitchen rules
State registration: Yes. Food handler / training: Yes (specific course). Kitchen inspection: Upon-complaint. Complete certificates the market or agency will ask for.
Build compliant labels
Use the Illinois label requirements on this site (and the free template). Match disclaimer language to the statute or agency guide before you print a batch.
Soft-launch, then first paid sales
Keep a simple sales log from day one so you stay under any annual cap. Soft-launch with pre-orders before a full market day.
Verify with official sources
Re-check the state cottage food page and your local health / planning office before you invest in equipment or marketing. Rules change.
What usually goes on the package
- Product name (common or usual name of the food)
- Business or producer name
- Producer address (or address alternative your state allows)
- Ingredients in descending order by weight
- Major allergen disclosures (e.g. wheat, milk, eggs, soy, tree nuts, peanuts, fish, shellfish, sesame)
- Net weight or quantity
- Home-kitchen disclaimer: “This product was produced in a home kitchen not inspected by a health department that may also process common food allergens. If you have safety concerns, contact your local health department.”
This is a planning checklist compiled for home bakers. It is not legal, tax, or zoning advice.
What are the Illinois sales cap, allowed products and registration rules?
None
Illinois uses a 'prohibited list' approach — everything not prohibited is allowed, including baked goods, candies, condiments (honey, ketchup, mustards, nut butters, oils, pickles, salsas, sauces, syrups, vinegars), dry goods, pastries, preserves (including acidified foods and fermented foods with extra requirements), snacks, carbonated drinks, extracts, frozen produce, hardboiled eggs, and juices. Many perishable foods are allowed for direct in-state sales but may not be shipped.
Registration: Yes. Food handler cert: Yes (specific course).
What does the Illinois cottage food statute say?
Illinois Compiled Statutes 410 ILCS 625/4, Food Handling Regulation Enforcement Act, Section 4 (Cottage food operation); as amended by Public Act 102-0633 (SB 2007, eff. January 2022) and Public Act 103-0903 (SB 2617, eff. January 2025)
Verbatim excerpt(410 ILCS 625/4) Sec. 4. Cottage food operation. (a) For the purpose of this Section: 'Cottage food operation' means an operation conducted by a person who produces or packages food or drink, other than foods and drinks listed as prohibited in paragraph (1.5) of subsection (b) of this Section, in a kitchen located in that person's primary domestic residence or another appropriately designed and equipped kitchen on a farm residential or commercial-style kitchen on that property for direct sale by the owner, a family member, or employee. (b) A cottage food operation may produce homemade food and drink provided that all of the following conditions are met: (1.3) A cottage food operation must register with the local health department for the unit of local government in which it is located, but may sell products outside of the unit of local government where the cottage food operation is located. (1.5) A cottage food operation shall not sell or offer to sell the following food items: (A) meat, poultry, fish, seafood, or shellfish; (B) dairy, except as an ingredient in a non-potentially hazardous baked good or candy; (C) eggs, except as an ingredient in a non-potentially hazardous food; (D) pumpkin pies, sweet potato pies, cheesecakes, custard pies, creme pies, and pastries with potentially hazardous fillings or toppings; (E) garlic in oil or oil infused with garlic, except if acidified; (F) low-acid canned foods; (G) sprouts; (H) cut leafy greens, except dehydrated, acidified, or blanched and frozen; (M) alcoholic beverages; or (N) kombucha.
Source: ilga.gov/Documents/Legislation/PublicActs/102/PDF/102-0633.pdf →
How does Illinois compare with neighboring states?
Illinois vs neighboring cottage food laws
Tier and sales-cap snapshot for Illinois and nearby states. Click through for full rules, labeling, and county pages.
| State | Tier | Sales cap | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| IllinoisYou are here | Great | None | This page |
| Indiana | Great | None | Indiana law → |
| Iowa | Good | None | Iowa law → |
| Kentucky | Okay | 60000 | Kentucky law → |
| Missouri | Great | None | Missouri law → |
| Wisconsin | Freedom | Tiered | Wisconsin law → |
Need a compliant product label for Illinois? Open the Illinois label mockup (free), or the Cottage Pro — 287-page label packet included.
Notes on Illinois cottage food rules
Where can I verify Illinois's rules?
Where to verify Illinois's rules
Illinois special guides
Which Illinois counties are covered?
Illinois Counties
102 counties tracked. Pick yours for the local zoning + health department links.
View all 102 counties →What are the city zoning rules in Illinois?
City zoning rules in Illinois
City zoning rules apply on top of the state cottage food law — home occupation, customer pickup, signage, and employees.
Was this page helpful?
Illinois cottage food law — FAQ
Do I need a license or permit to sell homemade food in Illinois?
Yes — Yes. Food handler certification: Yes (specific course).
What foods can I sell under the Illinois cottage food law?
Illinois uses a 'prohibited list' approach — everything not prohibited is allowed, including baked goods, candies, condiments (honey, ketchup, mustards, nut butters, oils, pickles, salsas, sauces, syrups, vinegars), dry goods, pastries, preserves (including acidified foods and fermented foods with extra requirements), snacks, carbonated drinks, extracts, frozen produce, hardboiled eggs, and juices. Many perishable foods are allowed for direct in-state sales but may not be shipped.
Is there a sales cap for cottage food in Illinois?
None
How good is Illinois's cottage food law?
Illinois is a Great-tier cottage food state by Crosodo's rating criteria. No or very high sales cap, broad product list, multiple sales channels including retail and online. Most home bakers can run a meaningful operation here.
What must an Illinois cottage food label say?
The operation's name and unit of local government; the registration number and the municipality or county where you registered; the product name; all ingredients by predominance of weight; the processing date; allergen labeling; and: "This product was produced in a home kitchen not inspected by a health department that may also process common food allergens. If you have safety concerns, contact your local health department."(source: 410 ILCS 625/4, Cottage food operation)
Where do I register an Illinois cottage food operation?
With the local health department where you reside. IDPH says to use its map or local health department directory to find yours. If your county has no local health department, it must contract with one in an adjacent county.(source: Illinois Dept. of Public Health, Cottage Food)
Can I sell cottage food to stores in Illinois?
No. IDPH says cottage food may not be sold for resale or in retail food establishments; sales must be direct to consumers.(source: Illinois Dept. of Public Health, Cottage Food)
Keep exploring Illinois
Keep exploring Illinois
Labels, product checks, county zoning, and local discuss — so one state page becomes a full readiness plan.
Market-day tees from the Crosodo collection — for the craft, not the algorithm.
What do bakers ask about Illinois?
What bakers ask about Illinois
Seed threads for markets, zoning, and labels — join the channel or ask the directory.
Farmers market process in Illinois?
Which markets welcome cottage bakers, what they charge, and label checks on day one.
Good label printers in Illinois?
Local print shops or home setups that handle home-kitchen disclaimers cleanly.
Zoning experience in Illinois counties?
Home occupation, pickup traffic, signage — what did your planning office actually require?
How I got legal in Illinois
Registration portal tips, food handler cert, and the county step nobody publishes.
Illinois label wording that passed review
Share real labels (blur personal info) and any county extras beyond the state minimum.
Crosodo tees for Illinois bakers
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While you're deep in Illinois rules — vintage-varsity tees for booth days and bake nights.
Can I list my bakes in the Crosodo classifieds?
Resources for cottage food and home bakers
Supplies, courses, insurance, farmers markets, kitchen rentals, and local services. To advertise here, visit crosodo.com/advertise. Browse all classifieds.
Ads are paid placements. Crosodo does not endorse listed vendors. Verify all product, service, course, insurance, and legal information independently.
Is this Illinois page legal advice?
Cottage food laws are amended every year. This is a starting reference, not legal advice. Verify with Illinois Department of Public Health and your local health department before relying on this data.
Official filing: Illinois Department of Public Health →
How does the Crosodo ladder work here? State vs county rules and pets
Crosodo ladder · not a license · How the ladder works
- 0Bake for friends
Give it away: gifts, potlucks, the office tray.
$0
Taking money? → Step 1
- 1Sell from home
Sell shelf-stable bakes straight to the person who eats them.
Illinois
Want store shelves? → Step 2
- 2Sell to stores
Sell to shops, cafés and resellers from an inspected kitchen.
Illinois
- Selling to stores: check with Illinois Department of Public Health
Want a storefront? → Step 3
- 3Commercial bakery
Bake in a commercial kitchen. Sell from your own shop.
Illinois
- Commercial kitchen permit: check with Illinois Department of Public Health
Renew permits every year
- Pets: do I need a door?
Illinois · Step 1
Not verified yet
Check with Illinois Department of Public Health.
Illinois · Step 2 (home)
Not verified yet
Check with Illinois Department of Public Health.
Pick your county for local rules → Crosodo is a research guide, not a government agency. Not legal advice.