Illinois Cottage Laws
Illinois has one of the most comprehensive and supportive cottage food programs in the country! After years of expansion and refinement, Illinois now offers incredible opportunities for home food entrepreneurs. Here's everything you need to know to get started.
What Makes Illinois Special?
Illinois stands out because of its inclusive approach – instead of providing a limited list of allowed foods, Illinois allows everything except specifically prohibited items. This gives you much more creative freedom than most states.
Key advantages:
- Broad range of allowed foods, including some higher-risk items with safety plans
- No sales limit – unlimited earning potential
- Can sell throughout the state from multiple venues
- Strong community support and advocacy
- Comprehensive guidance and resources
What Can You Make and Sell?
Illinois allows any food or drink that is not specifically prohibited. This “everything except” approach gives you incredible flexibility.
Allowed Foods Include:
Traditional Cottage Foods:
- All baked goods that don't require refrigeration
- Jams, jellies, preserves, fruit butters
- Candies and confections (including chocolate items)
- Granola, trail mix, dried goods
- Herbs, spices, tea blends
Unique to Illinois:
- Acidified and fermented foods (pickles, sauerkraut, fermented hot sauces – with safety plan)
- Canned tomatoes (with approved recipes or testing)
- Fresh-pressed juices (with proper labeling)
- Buttercream frostings (including dairy-based)
- Some cut leafy greens (dehydrated, acidified, or blanched and frozen)
- TCS foods (foods requiring temperature control – must be kept refrigerated)
Specifically Prohibited Foods:
- Meat, poultry, fish, seafood, shellfish
- Most dairy products (except as ingredients in allowed items)
- Raw eggs (except as ingredients in baked goods)
- Cream pies, custard pies, cheesecakes
- Garlic in oil (unless acidified)
- Low-acid canned foods
- Sprouts
- Cut fresh tomatoes or melons
- Wild-harvested mushrooms
- Alcoholic beverages, kombucha
Where Can You Sell?
Illinois offers exceptional selling flexibility since the 2022 Home to Market Act:
Direct-to-Consumer Sales:
- Farmers markets
- Fairs, festivals, and public events
- From your home (pickup)
- Delivery anywhere in Illinois
- Online sales (with proper signage)
- Third-party locations (with property owner consent)
- Shipping within Illinois (non-perishable items only, with tamper-evident seals)
What you CAN'T do:
- Sell to restaurants or stores for resale
- Wholesale to any business
- Ship out of state
Requirements to Get Started
1. Get Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) Training
This is required before you can register.
- Must be ANSI-approved, at least 8 hours long, with proctored exam
- Costs $100-300, valid for 5 years
- Required for everyone who prepares or packages food
- Look for courses from recognized providers like ServSafe, Prometric, or others
2. Register with Your Local Health Department
- Cost: Up to $50 annually (many charge less)
- Where: Register in the county where you live
- Process: Submit application with your CFPM certificate
- Timeline: Up to 6 weeks for approval
- Scope: Once registered, you can sell anywhere in Illinois
3. Additional Requirements for Special Foods
Acidified/Fermented Foods:
- Use approved USDA recipes OR submit food safety plan with pH testing
Canned Tomatoes:
- Use approved USDA recipes OR submit for commercial lab testing
TCS Foods:
- Must be stored, transported, and sold at 41°F or below
4. Water Testing (If Applicable)
If you use well water, your health department may require coliform testing.
Labeling Requirements
Every product must include:
- Your cottage food operation name and county location
- Registration number provided by health department
- Product name (common or usual name)
- Complete ingredient list in descending order by weight (including sub-ingredients)
- Date processed
- Allergen information (milk, eggs, wheat, peanuts, soybeans, fish, tree nuts, shellfish)
- Required warning statement: “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.”
Signage Requirements
At every point of sale, you must display:
“This product was produced in a home kitchen, not inspected by a health department, that may also process common food allergens.”
Physical signage: Minimum 8″ x 10″ placard Online: Must be prominently displayed on your website at point of sale
Getting Started: Your Action Plan
Step 1: Plan Your Products Review the prohibited list and plan what you want to make. Remember, if it's not prohibited, it's likely allowed!
Step 2: Get CFPM Certification Complete your Certified Food Protection Manager training and pass the exam.
Step 3: Register Locally Submit application to your local health department with CFPM certificate and registration fee.
Step 4: Understand Special Requirements If making acidified foods, canned tomatoes, or TCS foods, familiarize yourself with additional requirements.
Step 5: Create Labels and Signage Design labels with all required information and prepare point-of-sale signage.
Step 6: Check Local Zoning Verify your local zoning allows home-based businesses (state law preempts most restrictions).
Step 7: Start Selling Begin at farmers markets or local events to test your market.
Special Opportunities in Illinois
Acidified and Fermented Foods
Illinois is one of the few states allowing home production of pickles, sauerkraut, and fermented hot sauces with proper safety protocols.
TCS Foods
You can make fresh items requiring refrigeration (like vegan soups, fresh-cut vegetables) as long as you maintain proper temperatures.
Canned Tomatoes
With proper recipes or testing, you can make and sell canned tomato products.
No Sales Limit
Unlike many states, Illinois has no annual sales cap – your business can grow as large as you want while staying in your home kitchen.
The Support System
Illinois has built an incredible support network:
Illinois Stewardship Alliance: Key advocacy organization that helped pass the expansive laws
Comprehensive Guide: 47-page official guide covering everything you need to know
Local Health Departments: Many have become very knowledgeable and supportive
Strong Community: Active Facebook groups and local networks
Success Tips for Illinois
Start simple: Even with broad allowances, begin with basic items you're confident making.
Join the community: Connect with Illinois cottage food groups for support and networking.
Understand your category: Know whether your foods are basic cottage foods, acidified foods, or TCS foods.
Embrace the training: The CFPM requirement might seem daunting, but it gives you valuable knowledge.
Plan for growth: With no sales limits, think about how your business might evolve.
Stay compliant: Follow all labeling and signage requirements – they protect both you and consumers.
Local Variations
While state law preempts most local restrictions, some areas may have additional requirements:
Chicago: Has its own registration process but follows state guidelines
Zoning: Local governments can regulate things like signage, customer limits, and traffic
Business licenses: Some municipalities may require general business licenses
The Bottom Line
Illinois offers one of the most comprehensive and entrepreneur-friendly cottage food programs in the United States. The combination of broad food allowances, unlimited sales potential, multiple selling venues, and strong community support makes Illinois an excellent state for cottage food businesses.
Perfect for: Ambitious entrepreneurs who want maximum flexibility and growth potential
Unique advantages:
- “Everything except prohibited” approach
- Acidified and fermented foods allowed
- TCS foods permitted with temperature control
- No sales limits
- Shipping within state allowed
Consider the requirements:
- CFPM certification required (more extensive than basic food handler training)
- Annual registration needed
- Detailed labeling and signage requirements
The evolution of Illinois cottage food law represents one of the great success stories in food freedom. Through persistent advocacy by organizations like Illinois Stewardship Alliance and support from cottage food producers statewide, Illinois has created a system that truly supports food entrepreneurship while maintaining appropriate safety standards.
Whether you're a weekend baker testing the waters or an aspiring food entrepreneur ready to build a substantial business, Illinois provides the legal framework and community support to help you succeed.
Ready to start your Illinois cottage food business? Contact your local health department for registration information and visit the Illinois Stewardship Alliance website for community support. Take your CFPM training first, then dive into one of the most opportunity-rich cottage food programs in the country!
