Wisconsin Cottage Laws

Wisconsin's unique cottage food journey: how lawsuits created opportunities for home bakers

Wisconsin has one of the most unique cottage food stories in America. Unlike other states that passed legislation to allow cottage food sales, Wisconsin's home baking freedom came through successful lawsuits led by determined farmers and the Institute for Justice. This unconventional path has created both opportunities and challenges for Wisconsin home bakers. This guide will help you understand the current legal landscape and how to start your cottage food business in the Badger State.

Current Status: Wisconsin home bakers are back to being able to sell only non-potentially hazardous baked goods, as established in the original 2017 ruling.

What You Can Legally Sell Now

Thanks to the 2017 court victory, Wisconsin home bakers can sell non-potentially hazardous baked goods directly to consumers. Here's what this means:

Allowed Baked Goods

Definition: Items exposed to dry heat at temperatures above 140°F in a closed chamber (like an oven), including items made in waffle makers or Dutch ovens.

Examples include:

Breads, rolls, and bagels
Cookies, brownies, and bars
Cakes, cupcakes, and wedding cakes
Muffins, biscuits, and scones
Pies (fruit pies, not cream pies)
Pastries and sweet breads
Crackers and pasta
Tortillas and flatbreads
Granola (if oven-baked)

What Makes Food “Non-Potentially Hazardous”

A food is non-potentially hazardous if it has one or more of these characteristics:

Water activity (Aw) of 0.85 or less
pH of 4.6 or less
Low moisture content that inhibits bacterial growth

Most traditional baked goods like cookies, muffins, cakes, and breads naturally fall into this category.

What You CANNOT Sell

The restrictions are quite specific:

Non-Baked Items (even if safe):

Rice Krispies treats (made on stovetop)
Caramel corn (unless oven-made)
Roasted nuts (unless oven-roasted)
Candies and chocolates
Dried herbs or coffee beans
Marshmallows
Items made primarily in air fryers

Potentially Hazardous Baked Goods:

Cream-filled pastries
Custard-filled items
Fresh cream frostings requiring refrigeration
Cheesecakes
Items with meat fillings

The Absurd “Oven Test”

Here's where Wisconsin's law gets quirky: How you make something matters more than what you make. Rice Krispies treats made on the stovetop? Illegal. The same treats made by melting marshmallows in the oven? Potentially legal. This highlights the unusual nature of Wisconsin's court-created rules.

How to Get Started

Unlike states with formal cottage food programs, Wisconsin doesn't have official registration or licensing for home bakers. Here's your path forward:

Step 1: Ensure Your Products Qualify

Must be baked goods (oven, waffle maker, or Dutch oven)
Must be non-potentially hazardous (when in doubt, get lab testing)
If uncertain: Submit your recipe to a certified Wisconsin lab for water activity testing (around $25)

Step 2: Set Up Your Home Kitchen

Use your personal home kitchen (commercial kitchens must be licensed)
Maintain good sanitation practices
Keep pets away from food preparation areas
Store ingredients and finished products properly

Step 3: Create Labels (Strongly Recommended)

While not legally required, the Wisconsin Farmers Union strongly recommends labeling with:

Business name and address
Product name
Production date
Ingredient list (in descending order by weight)
Allergen information
Statement: “Made in a home kitchen not inspected by the state”

Step 4: Start Selling

You can immediately begin selling through:

Direct sales from your home
Farmers markets and events
Online orders (within Wisconsin only)
Mail orders (Wisconsin addresses only)
Roadside stands

Sales and Income Rules

No Sales Limit!

Unlike many states, Wisconsin has no annual sales cap for baked goods. The Wisconsin Farmers Union notes: “Until the Cookie Bill officially passes, we do not have a gross sales cap in Wisconsin. That means the sky is the limit!”

Geographic Restrictions

In-state only: All sales must occur within Wisconsin
Wisconsin addresses only: Mail orders must go to Wisconsin addresses
Direct sales only: Cannot sell to retailers for resale

The “Pickle Bill” Alternative

Remember, you can also sell up to $5,000 annually of canned goods under the separate Pickle Bill:

Jams, jellies, and preserves
Pickles, sauerkraut, and fermented foods
Acidified foods like salsas
Other home-canned goods

This means you could potentially have both a baking business (unlimited) and a canning business ($5,000 cap) operating simultaneously.

Current Challenges and “No-Man's Land”

Wisconsin cottage food advocates describe their situation as being in a “no-man's land” because:

Lack of Clear Regulations

No official law – everything is based on court rulings
Ongoing legal uncertainty – appeals and new cases create confusion
No formal guidance from the state

Restrictive Interpretation

Wisconsin remains one of the most restrictive states because:

Only baked goods allowed (not even safe unbaked items like granola bars)
Strict interpretation of what constitutes “baking”
Absurd distinctions (oven vs. stovetop preparation)

Legislative Gridlock

Multiple attempts at a formal Cookie Bill have failed
Opposition from baking and grocery industry associations
Cottage food advocates sometimes oppose bills with low sales caps

The Wisconsin Cottage Foods Association

The Wisconsin Cottage Foods Association, led by advocates like Dela Ends and Jobea Murray, continues working for expanded cottage food rights. As Murray explains:

“We're not selling time-temperature controlled foods — we're not trying to sell you a shrimp cocktail out of the back of our station wagon. We're asking to sell cupcakes, cookies, marshmallows and Rice Krispie treats, things that have such a low risk of food-borne illnesses.”

Essential Resources

Official Information:

Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)
Licensing specialists: datcpdfslicensing@wisconsin.gov or (608) 224-4923

Advocacy and Support:

WisconsinCottageFood.com – Created by Wisconsin Farmers Union
Wisconsin Cottage Foods Association Facebook Page – Updates and community
Institute for Justice – Legal advocacy organization

Testing Labs:

University of Wisconsin Extension – Maintains list of certified labs for water activity testing
Cost: Typically around $25 per product test

Food Safety Best Practices

Even though training isn't required, following food safety practices protects you and your customers:

Kitchen Safety:

Maintain clean work surfaces and equipment
Wash hands frequently
Use clean utensils and storage containers
Keep pets away from food preparation areas
Store ingredients at proper temperatures

Product Safety:

Use quality ingredients
Follow tested recipes
Store finished products properly
Label with production dates
Don't sell items past their peak quality

Record Keeping:

Track production dates and batches
Maintain customer contact information
Keep ingredient purchase records
Document any customer complaints

Looking Ahead: Potential Changes

Possible Legislative Action

There's always potential for new Cookie Bill legislation, though previous attempts have faced opposition. Any new law would likely:

Provide clearer guidelines
Potentially expand allowed foods
May include sales caps
Could require formal registration

Continued Legal Challenges

The Institute for Justice and cottage food advocates may pursue additional legal strategies to expand food freedoms.

Industry Opposition

The Wisconsin Bakers Association and grocers continue to oppose expanded cottage food rights, citing competition concerns.

Ready to Start Your Wisconsin Cottage Food Business?

Despite the unusual legal landscape, Wisconsin offers real opportunities for home bakers:

Advantages:

No sales limit for baked goods
No licensing or inspection required
No mandatory training
Additional $5,000 opportunity through Pickle Bill
Strong advocacy community

Key Requirements:

Baked goods only (oven, waffle maker, Dutch oven)
Non-potentially hazardous products
Direct sales within Wisconsin only
Proper labeling (strongly recommended)

Your Action Plan:

Verify your products qualify as non-potentially hazardous baked goods
Set up your home kitchen with good sanitation practices
Create professional labels (though not legally required)
Start selling directly to Wisconsin consumers
Join the Wisconsin cottage food community for support and updates
Consider water activity testing if uncertain about products

Wisconsin's cottage food story proves that determined entrepreneurs can create change, even when legislators won't act. While the current system has limitations, it provides real opportunities for home bakers to turn their passion into profit – no permits, no inspections, and no sales limits required!

The bottom line: Wisconsin may have gotten its cottage food rights through an unusual path, but the destination is sweet success for home bakers willing to work within the current framework while advocating for continued improvements.

Disclaimer: Wisconsin's cottage food situation is based on court rulings rather than formal legislation, creating ongoing legal uncertainty. This information reflects the current understanding as of 2024, but ongoing litigation may change requirements. Always consult with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (datcpdfslicensing@wisconsin.gov) and consider legal advice for your specific situation. The Wisconsin Cottage Foods Association and Institute for Justice also provide valuable resources and updates.