Tennessee cottage food law
Last updated: · Research verified · Free PDF report
Tier: Good. Solid baseline with moderate restrictions — typically a high cap (often $50K+) and standard direct-to-consumer rules. Workable for most home bakers.
How to start in Tennessee
A practical path from “am I allowed?” to first sale. Not legal advice — confirm every step with Tennessee agencies and your local offices.
Confirm your products are allowed
Tennessee allows 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.. 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: Yes. 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: No. Food handler / training: No. Kitchen inspection: No. Complete certificates the market or agency will ask for.
Build compliant labels
Use the Tennessee 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 required by Tennessee (exact wording may be set by statute or agency)
This is a planning checklist compiled for home bakers. It is not legal, tax, or zoning advice.
Tennessee vs neighboring cottage food laws
Tier and sales-cap snapshot for Tennessee and nearby states. Click through for full rules, labeling, and county pages.
| State | Tier | Sales cap | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| TennesseeYou are here | Good | None | This page |
| Alabama | Good | None | Alabama law → |
| Arkansas | Freedom | None | Arkansas law → |
| Georgia | Okay | None | Georgia law → |
| Kentucky | Okay | 60000 | Kentucky law → |
| Mississippi | Good | 35000 | Mississippi law → |
Need a compliant product label for Tennessee? Open the Tennessee label mockup.
None
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.
Registration: No. Food handler cert: No.
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 →
Tennessee Cottage Food Law — Full PDF report
A comprehensive report covering the Tennessee statute, every county we've researched, and authoritative source URLs.
Download PDFWhere to verify Tennessee's rules
Tennessee Cottage Food Law — Official Guidance Summary
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.
- Tennessee Department of Agriculturehttps://publications.tnsosfiles.com/acts/112/pub/pc0862.pdf
Tennessee's cottage food rules are set by Tenn. Code §53-1-125 (Food Freedom Act). The summary below is drawn from Crosodo's verified statute research and official agency guidance. Always confirm current requirements on the state agency website before you sell.
Program basics
- 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)
- None
- No
- No
- No
Allowed products and sales channels
- 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.
- The Tennessee Food Freedom Act (Public Chapter 862, effective July 1, 2022) broadly exempts production and sale of non-TCS homemade food items from all licensing, permitting, inspecting, packaging, and labeling laws. Sales may be direct to consumer in person or remotely.
- Local government ordinances restricting homemade food sales are preempted.
- Note: Prior to the 2022 Food Freedom Act, the older domestic kitchen regulations (TDA Chapter 0080-4-11) required a permit, inspection, and food safety certification, and limited sales to 100 units/week; the Food Freedom Act supersedes these requirements for qualifying non-TCS homemade foods.
Labeling
- 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.
Statute excerpt
- BE 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.
Official sources
- State agency cottage food page: https://www.tn.gov/agriculture/businesses/food/food-manufacturing/domestic-kitchen.html
- Statute: https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/2021/title-53/chapter-8/
Summarized from official Tennessee cottage food statute research and agency guidance. Agency rules change — verify on the official site before relying on this information.
Tennessee Counties
95 counties tracked. Pick yours for the local zoning + health department links.
View all 95 counties →City zoning rules in Tennessee
City zoning rules apply on top of the state cottage food law — home occupation, customer pickup, signage, and employees.
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 PDFWas this page helpful?
Tennessee cottage food law — FAQ
Do I need a license or permit to sell homemade food in Tennessee?
Yes — No. Food handler certification: No.
What foods can I sell under the Tennessee cottage food law?
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.
Is there a sales cap for cottage food in Tennessee?
None
How good is Tennessee's cottage food law?
Tennessee is a Good-tier cottage food state by Crosodo's rating criteria. Solid baseline with moderate restrictions — typically a high cap (often $50K+) and standard direct-to-consumer rules. Workable for most home bakers.
Keep exploring Tennessee
Labels, product checks, county zoning, and local discuss — so one state page becomes a full readiness plan.
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What bakers ask about Tennessee
Seed threads for markets, zoning, and labels — join the channel or ask the directory.
Farmers market process in Tennessee?
Which markets welcome cottage bakers, what they charge, and label checks on day one.
Good label printers in Tennessee?
Local print shops or home setups that handle home-kitchen disclaimers cleanly.
Zoning experience in Tennessee counties?
Home occupation, pickup traffic, signage — what did your planning office actually require?
How I got legal in Tennessee
Registration portal tips, food handler cert, and the county step nobody publishes.
Tennessee label wording that passed review
Share real labels (blur personal info) and any county extras beyond the state minimum.
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Resources for cottage food and home bakers
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Cottage food laws are amended every year. This is a starting reference, not legal advice. Verify with Tennessee Department of Agriculture and your local health department before relying on this data.