Thinking about turning your home recipes into a business? The Texas Cottage Food Law makes it easier than ever to sell homemade food legally. However, before you start, it’s important to understand what the law covers and what food safety training you’ll need.
Whether you’re baking cookies, crafting jams, or packaging dried snacks, the Texas Cottage Food Law helps Texans turn their passion into income while ensuring safe food handling and consumer protection. Let’s break down exactly how it works and how to get certified with AAA Food Handler.
Understanding the Texas Cottage Food Law
The Texas Cottage Food Law allows individuals to prepare and sell certain low-risk foods made in their home kitchens without needing a commercial facility or a state health permit. The goal is to help Texans launch small-scale food businesses from home, all while maintaining public health and safety standards.
However, there are certain limits on what foods you can sell, how much you can earn, and what training you must complete before selling to the public.
Foods You Can and Can’t Sell from Home
Texas cottage food operations may sell many types of foods, including certain TCS foods, as long as they meet the applicable safety, registration, temperature-control, and labeling requirements.
Foods specifically excluded from the cottage food definition include:
- Meat, meat products, poultry, or poultry products
- Seafood, fish, and shellfish
- Ice and ice products, including ice cream, frozen custard, popsicles, and gelato
- Low-acid canned goods
- Products containing cannabidiol (CBD) or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
- Raw milk and raw milk products
Texas Cottage Food Law Changes Effective September 1, 2025
Texas Senate Bill 541 significantly expanded the state’s cottage food rules effective September 1, 2025. The annual gross-income threshold for a cottage food production operation is now $150,000, subject to statutory adjustment for inflation.
Texas also allows cottage food production operations to sell certain time and temperature control for safety (TCS) foods, provided they meet additional requirements, including DSHS registration, temperature control, and specific labeling requirements.
Who Needs Food Safety Training in Texas?
If you plan to sell homemade food under the cottage food law, you are required by the Texas Department of State Health Services to complete a state-approved Food Handler training course.
This course ensures you understand essential food safety principles like:
- Preventing cross-contamination
- Safe food storage and handling
- Personal hygiene and handwashing
- Cleaning and sanitizing best practices
Completing a certified training course helps you avoid common mistakes that could lead to foodborne illness, protecting both your customers and your reputation.
Get Certified with AAA Food Handler
AAA Food Handler offers an ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) accredited Texas Food Handler course that meets the state’s training requirement for cottage food operators.
- 100% online and mobile-friendly
- Finish in just 90 minutes
- Instant digital certificate and Food Handler card
- Accepted by all Texas health departments
Once you pass, you’ll have official proof of certification valid for 2 years and ready to display or upload on your website.
Texas Cottage Food Labeling Requirements
Cottage food products must be packaged and labeled according to Texas requirements. Labels generally must include:
- The name of the cottage food operation
- The operation’s physical address or its DSHS registration number, when applicable
- The common or usual name of the product
- Required allergen information
- The required private-residence disclosure
If a cottage food operation sells a TCS food, additional requirements apply. The label must include the date the food was made and the required SAFE HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS statement in at least 12-point font.
Growing Your Cottage Food Business the Smart Way
With the 2025 updates now in effect, Texas cottage food operators have more opportunities to sell eligible homemade foods while following the state’s food safety and labeling requirements.
But success starts with safety. Completing an ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB)-accredited food handler training through AAA Food Handler ensures you’re compliant, knowledgeable, and ready to grow your home business the right way.
Start Your Cottage Food Business with Confidence
Get certified today with AAA Food Handler’s Texas Food Handler Course, fully online, fast, and approved statewide.
Finish in 90 minutes and get your official Food Handler Card instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Texas Cottage Food Law
What is the income limit for a Texas cottage food business?
Under current Texas Cottage Food Law, a cottage food production operation may have up to $150,000 in annual gross income, subject to adjustment for inflation under state law.
Do I need a permit to operate a cottage food business in Texas?
Generally, a Texas cottage food production operation does not need a food establishment permit or license to produce and sell cottage foods directly to consumers. However, registration with the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is required for cottage food operations that sell certain TCS foods.
Do Texas cottage food operators need food handler training?
Yes. Texas cottage food operators must successfully complete a basic food safety education or training program that meets the requirements of Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 438.
Can I sell TCS foods under Texas Cottage Food Law?
Yes. Since September 1, 2025, Texas cottage food operations may sell certain TCS foods when they meet additional requirements, including applicable registration, temperature control, labeling, and safe-handling requirements. Certain foods remain excluded from the cottage food definition.
Can I sell cottage food online in Texas?
Yes. Texas allows cottage food operations to sell food online, subject to specific requirements for purchasing, labeling, and delivery. Operators should review the current Texas DSHS cottage food guidance before selling online.
Official Texas Cottage Food Resources
Texas Department of State Health Services — Texas Cottage Food Production
Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 437
