Alabama — the rules
Selling Food From Home in Alabama: Cottage Food Rules (2026)
Yes — you can legally sell food made in your home kitchen in Alabama, under the Alabama Cottage Food Law. There is no state sales cap on the books. Here is exactly what that means.
Alabama at a glance
| Home food sales | Allowed |
| Program | Alabama Cottage Food Law |
| Annual sales cap | None specified |
| Sales channels | Direct to consumers (see details — many direct-only states still allow online orders with delivery) |
| Approximate fee | $25 |
What foods are covered
Non-potentially-hazardous shelf-stable foods only: baked goods, jams/jellies/preserves, candy, dried herbs/vegetables/fruits, roasted coffee, dry baking mixes, and pH-verified fermented or acidified vegetables. No meat, poultry, or fish. 2021 update (SB 160, Ala. Code 22-20-5.1) removed the former $20,000 annual cap and authorized in-person, phone, and online orders with delivery or mail shipment within Alabama; wholesale, consignment, and restaurant sales prohibited.
Permits and registration
No state permit or home inspection. Approved food safety course required (Alabama Cooperative Extension cottage food course, $25, certificate valid 3 years; ANSI-accredited courses also accepted) and a Cottage Food Review Form submitted to the local county health department. Labeling rules apply (10-pt font, not-inspected statement).
Going legal in Alabama: the plate-seller checklist
- Read the primary source (linked below) — caps and food lists are specific and they change.
- Label honestly — most programs require your name, address or registration, and a made-in-a-home-kitchen disclosure on packaging.
- Get your free EIN at irs.gov and open a separate account for food money.
- Take payment at order time — prepaid orders with a weekly cutoff are how home sellers stay profitable AND within caps.
- Build the storefront — a menu page, order-ahead with cutoffs, your own business line. Our free guide covers the whole playbook.
Sources and verification
Verified 2026-07 against: www.alabamapublichealth.gov · alison.legislature.state.al.us · www.aces.edu. Rules change — confirm with the primary source before acting; this guide is information, not legal advice.
Questions people ask
Is it legal to sell food from home in Alabama?
Yes — under Alabama Cottage Food Law. Allowed foods and channels are specific; check the primary source.
How much can you sell under Alabama's cottage food law?
Alabama does not specify a state sales cap in the current rules.
Do you need a permit to sell food from home in Alabama?
No state permit or home inspection. Approved food safety course required (Alabama Cooperative Extension cottage food course, $25, certificate valid 3 years; ANSI-accredited courses also accepted) and a Cottage Food Review Form submitted to the local county health department. Labe