Tennessee cottage food law
Tennessee Cottage Food Law — 251 pages and 95 counties
Full Tennessee PDF (251 pages). This page stays free.
Last updated: · Research verified · Full guide in Cottage Pro ($15 one time) (251 pages)
Full Tennessee PDF (251 pages). This page stays free.
Print Tennessee labels for your first market
Print Tennessee labels for your first market
After the law page, this is the next thing most bakers need: a print-ready mockup with the Tennessee home-kitchen disclaimer, allergen line, and net-weight fields.
This product was produced at a private residence that is exempt from state licensing and inspection. This product may contain allergens.
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 Tennessee mockup above stays free.
- Product name, producer, and address (or allowed alternative)
- Ingredients by weight and major allergens
- Net weight / quantity
- Tennessee home-kitchen / “not inspected” disclaimer
Not legal advice. Verify wording with the state agency before a production print run.
What does the official Tennessee state handout say?
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.
Cottage Pro — $15 one time
This page is the free Tennessee statute. Cottage Pro is the apply checklist and workspace.
Pick your Tennessee 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
Tennessee Cottage Food Updates
New bills, rule changes and local news for home bakers in Tennessee. Every story links to its source.
What does the Good tier mean for Tennessee?
Tier: Good. Solid baseline with moderate restrictions — typically a high cap (often $50K+) and standard direct-to-consumer rules. Workable for most home bakers.
Tennessee cottage food law — quick summary
How do I start a cottage food business in Tennessee?
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: “This product was produced at a private residence that is exempt from state licensing and inspection. This product may contain allergens.”
This is a planning checklist compiled for home bakers. It is not legal, tax, or zoning advice.
What are the Tennessee sales cap, allowed products and registration rules?
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.
What does the Tennessee cottage food statute say?
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 →
How does Tennessee compare with neighboring states?
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 (free), or the Cottage Pro — 287-page label packet included.
Notes on Tennessee cottage food rules
Where can I verify Tennessee's rules?
Where to verify Tennessee's rules
Tennessee special guides
Which Tennessee counties are covered?
Tennessee Counties
95 counties tracked. Pick yours for the local zoning + health department links.
View all 95 counties →What are the city zoning rules in Tennessee?
City zoning rules in Tennessee
City zoning rules apply on top of the state cottage food law — home occupation, customer pickup, signage, and employees.
Was this page helpful?
Tennessee cottage food law — FAQ
Do I need a license or permit to sell homemade food in Tennessee?
No registration required
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
Keep exploring Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
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.
Crosodo tees for Tennessee bakers
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While you're deep in Tennessee 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 Tennessee page legal advice?
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.
Official filing: Tennessee Department of Agriculture →
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.
Tennessee
Want store shelves? → Step 2
- 2Sell to stores
Sell to shops, cafés and resellers from an inspected kitchen.
Tennessee
- Selling to stores: check with Tennessee Department of Agriculture
Want a storefront? → Step 3
- 3Commercial bakery
Bake in a commercial kitchen. Sell from your own shop.
Tennessee
- Commercial kitchen permit: check with Tennessee Department of Agriculture
Renew permits every year
- Pets: do I need a door?
Tennessee · Step 1
Not verified yet
Check with Tennessee Department of Agriculture.
Tennessee · Step 2 (home)
Not verified yet
Check with Tennessee Department of Agriculture.
Pick your county for local rules → Crosodo is a research guide, not a government agency. Not legal advice.